The Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse in Teens

Imagine you are talking to your significant other about a prescription medication you take that makes you really drowsy. You don’t realize it, but your teenager is in the next room and overhears you. She hasn’t been sleeping well lately and she thinks maybe your medication can help her sleep better. She secretly starts taking your medication at night when she has trouble sleeping.

Would you consider this safe?

It is important to know that it is NEVER safe to take a prescription medication that is not prescribed to you. These days, prescription medications are a lot easier to get a hold of than illegal drugs which makes teens more inclined to get them. But just because they might be easier to get does not mean that they are safe to take.

Prescription drug abuse is a major issue facing the United States today. Not only can it lead to drug poisoning but also drug addiction. Prescriptions most commonly abused include opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants. These drugs essentially act as poisons in the body depending on the amount a person ingests. This means abusing prescription medications can be fatal.

Where are teens getting these drugs?

Most teens are getting prescription medications from medicine cabinets of family, friends and acquaintances.  A very small portion of teens are getting them from doctors, pharmacists or over the internet.

What can you do to help prevent drug abuse/drug poisonings?

If you are a parent, talk to your kids about medication drug abuse and the dangers associated with misuse. Teens who learn about the risks of drug use are 50% less likely to use drugs according to drugfree.org. It is also a good idea to safeguard medications by keeping them in a secure place.

If you or someone you know becomes ill from medication use, misuse or abuse, please contact the Poison Control Center help line for assistance. The Texas Poison Center Network is available 24/7 to help with any questions or concerns. All calls are answered by a nurse, doctor or pharmacist. Program this number into your phone for when you need it: 1-800-222-1222. The call is free, peace of mind is priceless!

TPCN Spotlight: Melody Gardner, North Texas Poison Control Center

This week’s blog will showcase one of our six poison control center managing directors. Here you will find out why they love their job and why poison control services are important to them.

Melody Gardner is the North Texas Poison Control Center Managing Director.

Tell me your history with poison control. How long have you worked there/what is your background: I have a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and Nursing Administration. I started my career as a Registered Nurse and then completed training to become a Trauma Nurse Clinician at Parkland hospital, where I cared for some of the most critically ill trauma and burn patients in the North Texas area. I have been at the North Texas Poison Center for four years, starting out as a manager and then moving into my current position as Managing Director in 2012.

What do you think is one of the most important aspects of poison control services? The Poison Centers not only assist with day to day poisoning situations, both in the home and in health care settings, but we also actively monitor any new trends, such as the new designer drugs popular amongst teens. Poison Centers are often the ones who hear of new, dangerous products before anyone else. We also are experts in disaster preparedness and handle phone calls related to potential dangers at large events in our area.

What do you enjoy most about your job and why? As a parent, I know how important it is to get the quickest, most reliable information to care for your child. I enjoy my job because by overseeing the operations of the Poison Center, I feel like I help contribute to making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. I believe in what the staff at the Poison Center does on a daily basis, because oftentimes, the relief you can sense from a mother’s voice on the phone is a reward in itself.

What do you think the public needs to know regarding poison control? The public should know that no question is stupid and our highly trained staff is not here to judge you, they are here to help and offer you the best medical advice they can. The call is free, peace of mind is priceless! We have doctors, nurses and pharmacists available 24/7/365.

Share a funny story here that might have happened on the job. One of our specialists received a call from a school nurse asking about how to clean up after a student had a case of smallpox. We questioned her about the case and discussed that it probably wasn’t smallpox (since that disease has been eradicated in the U.S.) After she insisted that it was smallpox, our specialist used a code in our computer system that indicates there was a case of smallpox. About 10 minutes later, I was receiving phone calls through the real-time surveillance system at the CDC asking what was going on in Texas with small pox. Needless to say, it made for an interesting discussion.

The Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana

Despite current laws, Synthetic Marijuana remains a concern. Street names include K2, Spice, and No More Mr. Nice Guy, to name a few. Even though these drugs are called synthetic marijuana, in reality, they are very different from marijuana and can cause dangerous health effects. One of the scariest things about these synthetic drugs is often times the ingredients are not listed on the product so a user really has no idea what they are ingesting, and neither do the health experts.   

Here is an example of synthetic marijuana

Not only are these synthetic drugs very dangerous, but they can also be very addictive. Some alarming health effects from using these drugs include:

• Severe agitation and anxiety.
• Fast, racing heartbeat and high blood pressure.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle spasms, seizures, and tremors.
• Intense hallucinations and psychotic episodes.
• Suicidal and other harmful thoughts and/or actions.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers states that these drugs were first reported in the U.S. in 2009. Poison centers throughout the U.S. received 5,230 calls about exposures to these drugs in 2012 and 2,643 exposures in 2013.

What should you do if someone has used synthetic marijuana?

Call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Fifty-six poison centers around the country have experts waiting to answer your call. These experts can help you decide whether someone can be treated at home, or whether he or she must go to a hospital.

Dial 9-1-1 immediately if someone: 

• Stops breathing. 
• Collapses. 
• Has a seizure.

For more information, call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222.  Poison centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year for poisoning emergencies and for informational calls, too.

 

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is April 26th!

Do you have prescriptions at home that go unused or that you no longer need? Now is the time to spring clean those medicine cabinets and get rid of medications that you no longer need or that have expired. On April 26^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is sponsoring a nation-wide drug take-back. 

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative addresses an important public safety and health issue. Prescription drugs that sit in medicine cabinets for a long period of time tend to be susceptible to abuse and misuse.

In the U.S. alone, prescription drug abuse is extremely high. By turning in old or unused medications, you can help alleviate this problem. Remember, medications should never be flushed down the toilet because it messes with the clean water supply.

By providing a drug take-back day, people have the opportunity to dispose of medications in an environmentally responsible and secure way. For more information on this initiative or to find a collection site near you, please visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html.

Below is a list of Poison Control Centers who will also be participating in this:

North Texas Poison Center has partnered with Safe Kids Tarrant County for events to be held at 11 different locations.

West Texas Poison Center is holding an event at the University Medical Center of El Paso across from the entrance to the UMC Associate Parking Garage on 4625 Alberta.

Texas Panhandle Poison Center is holding an event in collaboration with the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department, Voices Coalition, and StarCare. You can find more information here: http://www.medicationcleanout.com/#!events/c5a2

The Dangers in Storing Substances in the Wrong Container

If we have not done it, we know someone who has done it. It can be a harmless mistake that could ultimately lead to a fatal one. What am I talking about? I’m talking about storing medications, chemicals or cleaning products in containers that are not their original containers.

-        These are just a few of the numerous reasons items should be stored in their original container: When you keep items in their original containers, then you still have access to directions and other information that is listed on the product. If you had an item stored in another container, then you would not have access to this information.

-       Many products and medications have a child-resistant top on the containers. These tops are created this way on purpose- to keep you and your little ones safe. If you put the item in another container, then it loses the child-resistant top which makes it easier for children to get into dangerous substances.

-       When you keep the medication or product in its original container, then everyone will always know what is in the container, including guests and babysitters. Don’t cause an accidental ingestion of a product because it was not in a proper container.

When the Poison Control Public Educators are out teaching public education, they will often bring along with them several examples of how substances and medication can look very similar. By showing these examples, the public can see how important it is to keep substances in their correct containers. Below is an example of substances that could be mistaken for something else:

 

See how similar these products look?

Remember, it is important to keep items in their original containers for everyone’s safety and health! And remember, if you do come in contact with a potential harmful substance, please do not hesitate to contact the poison control number at 1-800-222-1222. They are here to help you!

Celebrate National Poison Prevention Week

The third full week of March marks Poison Prevention Week and is an important time to become better informed about how to keep yourself and others safe from unintentional poisonings.

A poison is considered any substance, including medications, which can be harmful to your body if too much is ingested, inhaled, injected or absorbed through the skin. An accidental poisoning occurs when a person unintentionally takes too much of a substance and does not mean to cause harm.

Currently, more than two million poisonings are reported each year to the Nation’s poison centers. And according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, approximately 90 percent of poisonings happen at home, and 51 percent of them involve children under the age of six.

Here are some poison facts and tips:

• In children ages six and younger, the most common exposure is to medicines, plants, pesticides and cleaning products.
• Child-resistant packages are not childproof. Most two-year olds can open a child-resistant container in 4 to 5 minutes.
• Calling 1-800-222-1222 from anywhere in the United States will connect you to a local poison center.
• Keep all poisons locked up and out of reach of children.
• Never refer to medicine (prescription, vitamins or otherwise) as candy as children may mistake tiny pills for yummy candy.
• Get household furnaces checked yearly and make sure working carbon monoxide detectors are in the house and checked multiple times a year. This is especially important for the winter months.

What to Do if a Poisoning Occurs

In the event that you or someone with you has been poisoned, first remain calm. Then call the toll-free Poison Help line right away at 1-800-222-1222. Make sure to have the following information on hand:

-       victim’s weight

-       the container or bottle that provides what the victim was poisoned with

-       when the poisoning occurred

-       the location of the poisoning

Stay on the phone with the poison control specialist and follow all the instructions you are given. For more information on accidental poisonings and what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones, please visit www.poisoncontrol.org.

See below the Proclamation from Texas Governor Rick Perry recognizing Poison Prevention Week!

 

 

See What Events are happening in YOUR Area for Poison Prevention Week!

Next week marks National Poison Prevention Week. Fun events are happening all throughout Texas to help educate the public on poison prevention. Below you can find a list of events happening in various cities in Texas. Come on out and join in the fun and get educated too!

Central Texas Poison Center, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple

Central Texas is hosting a Poison Safety Safari on Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco! Participate in various activities such as interactive games and animal interactions, and learn about staying safe from poisons in the environment. Free goody bags for the first 500 children!

Central Texas will also be hosting education events for the media:

·         Monday, March 17^th – A panel of experts (featuring Central Texas Poison Center’s Toxicologist, Dr. Ryan Morrissey) will be discussing the new and popular device, electronic cigarettes. 

·         Wednesday, March 19^th – Snake expert, Tim Cole from Austin Snake and Reptile will join a physician and Poison Center Specialist to discuss venomous snakes.  Mr. Cole will be providing 4 live venomous snakes to display.

Keep an eye out on the Central Texas Poison Center Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CtrlTXPC for air times.

North Texas Poison Center, Dallas County Hospital District, Dallas

North Texas will hold the 10^th Annual Poison Jungle Safari at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas on Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  As patrons enjoy the zoo, they can also stop at different stations to learn about Poisons in the Home, Carbon Monoxide Danger, Medication Safety, Bites and Stings, Tobacco and Drug Dangers and Poisonous Plants.  Someone will win a bike at 4:00 too!

Texas Panhandle Poison Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo

Texas Panhandle is hosting its 30th Medication Cleanout™ event on March 15th to kick off National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW).  This year marks the 5th anniversary of the program. Spring is a great time to clean out your medicine cabinets and drop off medications that are expired or no longer needed.  Visit www.MedicationCleanout.com for more information about the Amarillo event March 15th and the Lubbock and Abilene events in April.

TPPC has been visiting local elementary schools this year to share poison safety tips through an interactive puppet show.  During NPPW, focus will shift to middle and high schools for a “Save it to Your Cell” campaign.  Numerous schools have agreed to read a script that encourages students to get out their cell phones during home room and save 1-800-222-1222 into their contacts. This will be the first year for this project and TPPC plans to expand to school districts throughout their region in the future.

Last but not least, on Friday, March 14th from 11-2, TPPC will host an open house to showcase their brand new location in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy building, 1300 S. Coulter, Suite 105.

South Texas Poison Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

This year’s observance will focus on poisoning-prevention themes, with a different theme each day. The South Texas Poison Center will post information on each topic on its website at http://www.texaspoison.com/, and Miguel Fernández, M.D., a medical toxicologist and the director of the South Texas Poison Center, will be available for interviews.

·        Tuesday, March 19 – Poison Centers: Protecting Health While Saving You Time and  Money

·        Wednesday, March 20 – Poisonings Span a Lifetime

·         Thursday, March 21 – Home, Safe, Home

·         Friday, March 22 – Spotlight on Prescription Painkillers

West Texas Regional Poison Center, University Medical Center and El Paso County Hospital District, El Paso

The West Texas Regional Poison Center will be hosting its 20^th Annual Poison Jungle Safari on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Cleveland Square Park. The event will be in conjunction with the KidsPalooza event in downtown El Paso. Come on out and learn more about poison prevention and safety- fun for the whole family! And get this- the first 500 children under 12 to complete the Safari will receive a free t-shirt!