Taking Action

The message to teens about prescription drugs must be utterly simple:

• When the doctor prescribes a medication for you, it’s fine to take it.
• But it’s never okay to take someone else’s prescription.
• It’s never okay to share your medication with someone else..
• It’s never okay to take more than the prescribed dose. Ever.

It’s also critical to follow good practice at home:

• There’s no sharing of prescriptions. No one takes anyone else’s medications.
• Prescription medications are always stored safely away, especially painkillers, depressants, and stimulants.
• After the surgery, after the dental work, after the broken leg heals, all unused prescription medications are disposed of safely. There are no old prescription medications lying around.