Illegal Use of Prescription Drugs Presentation by Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton

What is Prescription Drug Abuse?

How Big is the Problem Among Young People? 1 in 5 teens have taken prescription drugs without having a prescription for it themselves 1 in 5 teens have taken prescription drugs without having a prescription for it themselves Prescription drugs are abused by teens more than any other drug except marijuana Prescription drugs are abused by teens more than any other drug except marijuana Every day, 2,500 youth abuse prescription drugs for the first time Every day, 2,500 youth abuse prescription drugs for the first time 1/3 of all new abusers are years old 1/3 of all new abusers are years old

Why Are Teens Doing This? Many reasons: Many reasons: to party and get high to party and get high to cope with academic, social, to cope with academic, social, and emotional stresses that are common to all teens to lose weight or to bulk up to lose weight or to bulk up peer pressure peer pressure

What are the risks? Acute Risks Acute Risks death death brain damage brain damage other organ damage other organ damage Long-term Risks Long-term Risks Potentially addictive Potentially addictive Lifelong pattern of dependency Lifelong pattern of dependency

- Vicodin- Ritalin - Oxycontin- Tylenol 3 - Xanax- Valium - Lorazepam- Diazepam Common Household Prescriptions Often Abused

The Law Possession and Use Possession and Use Possession with Intent to Deliver Possession with Intent to Deliver Delivery Delivery

Where Do Teens Get The Drugs? Medicine cabinets Medicine cabinets Other Friends Other Friends Parties Parties Illegally from pharmacists or doctors Illegally from pharmacists or doctors

What Can You Do? Communicate with your patients Communicate with your patients Explain the dangers of prescription drugs Explain the dangers of prescription drugs Encourage patients to talk to their children about medicines in the home

Thank you!