I'm An Adult. What Should I Know?

What Are Opioids?

• Codeine
• Dilaudid
• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Hydrocodone
• Methadone
• Morphine
• Oxycodone
• Oxycontin® a/k/a "Oxy"
• Percocet® a/k/a "Percs"
• Tramadol Vicodin® a/k/a "Vikes"

Prescription opioids are given to treat severe and/or chronic pain. The drugs are chemically similar to endorphins - opioids that our bodies make to naturally relieve pain - and are also similar to heroin. (NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens)

What is the Risk of Misuse and Abuse? 

Many people misuse and abuse prescription opioids to get high. The receptors in the brain respond the same way to prescription opioids as they do to heroin (NIH). Yet, "Many teens think prescription pain meds are safer than illegal street drugs" (MA DPH).

Not only are prescription pills unsafe, misusing or sharing prescription pills is also illegal.  

Know What to Look For

Many cities and towns host Hidden in Plain Sight, which is a display of a mock teenager's bedroom, staged for parents to view common drug paraphernalia and hiding places used by teens. The display takes about 10-15 minutes to view.  Be on the look-out for presentations in your community, or reach out to your town manager, mayor, police department or school district to request a presentation in your area. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration has some great tips for keeping the kids in your life safe. Their Get Smart About Drugs initiative is a comprehensive resource for parents, educators & caregivers. Their site provides timely news updates relevant to the opioid crisis; tips for parents/caregivers - including how technology can help you keep the kids in your life safe; consequences for teens who use drugs; and important state and federal laws.

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids also offers tips on how to spot the early warning signs of drug use:

• Use Your Nose
• Look Them in the Eyes
• Watch for Mood Swings
• Monitor Driving and the Car
• If Something Sounds Fishy, Trust Your Gut
• Don't Overlook Your Child's Digital Devices. Do You Recognize Their Frequent Contacts? Do Recent Messages or Social Media Posts Hint at Drug Use or Contradict What They've Told You?

Youth Substance Use Prevention in Your Community

In May 2017, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and the GE Foundation launched Project Here, an initiative to make substance use prevention education available to every public middle school in Massachusetts.

Prescribed an Opioid? Now What?

191,218,272 opioid prescriptions were dispensed by retail pharmacies in 2017 (CDC). 

Not every patient takes all the pills they're prescribed. 

According to the CDC, almost 50% of non-medical prescription opioid users (that is, people who use them recreationally/abuse them) get them for free or buy them from a friend or relative.

1. Keep your prescriptions in a safe place. Don't assume someone you love won't take them. 
2. Keep track of your pills. Were you prescribed 20 pills and only took 3? Are you sure you have 17 left? Are any missing? 
3. Discard your unused medications properly.
   • Discard your unused medications properly.
   • Do not leave unused pills in your home.
   • Do not discard unused medication in the trash.
   • Do not flush unused pills down a toilet.
   • Find a convenient location to dispose of your unused or expired medications safely and properly.

Remember: "Misuse of prescription opioids dropped significantly over the last five years in 12th graders... teens think these drugs are not as easy to get as they used to be." (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

In Need of Treatment?

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Helpline - 800-327-5050

SAMHSA: Substance Abuse Treatment Services Locator

#ResistTheRisk is sponsored by the U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Massachusetts