Beware of Pharma Parties

You have a teenager. They say that they are going to a friend’s house for a party. You, reminded of the drunken "keggers" you went to as a teenager, ask if there will be alcohol. They say no. You breathe a sigh of relief and give permission.

They come back, obviously intoxicated, but you don’t smell any alcohol, or marijuana. They haven’t been drinking, but something is wrong.

Welcome to the world of the Pharma Party.

Narconon Drug  Rehab in Georgia warns that while alcohol is still the drug most abused by teenagers, pharma parties are becoming the rage.

“ Teens will raid their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinet, take Oxycontins, Percocets, Valiums, Xanax, and a get together with their friends,” warns Mary Rieser, Executive Director Of Narconon Drug Rehab in Georgia. “They will mix and match their drugs, which is of course very dangerous. Soon they become drug addicts and this starts the dwindling spiral. Parent’s can’t figure out what happened.”

Prescription drug abuse among adolescents is at an all time high. There is little wonder as Big Pharma keeps pushing drugs as the panacea for all ills. One example is Purdue Pharma, the makers of Oxycontin. Despite heavy fines for failing to label Oxycontin as highly addicted, Oxycontin sales still exceed $9.6 billion from 2000 to 2006.

“While prescription drugs can be a God-send for someone who is sick, all too often these are misplaced or abused not only by the person, but by members of their family,” comments Ms. Rieser. “Unfortunately there is a myth among youngsters that these are not harmful drugs, as they were prescribed by the doctor, and Mom or Dad took them, so they can’t be all bad. This kind of mindset among adolescents can kill them. They become drug addicts and ruin their lives.”

How to fight drug addiction in your own family?

1. Keep careful track of all prescription medications. Once you are done throw away the rest.
2. Keep prescriptions locked up. Although your children may not abuse them, their friends may come over and take them.
3. Educate your children on drugs and drug abuse.
4. Be aware of the signs of drug abuse in your family.
5. Communicate. Keep in good communication with your children on the type of parties they go to, who their friends are, and what is going on in their life.

“Adolescence can be a difficult time for children,” comments Ms. Rieser. “If children don’t have someone they can talk to, someone they can trust, it is all too easy to go down the wrong path.”

Narconon of Georgia is a non-traditional drug abuse treatment program. Narconon was founded in 1967, and its mission also includes drug education and working with children.  While many drug rehab statistics are nebulous, Narconon boasts a 76% success rate (based on a two year follow-up) through a non-traditional drug treatment program.  This program provides body detoxification through a sauna and exercise program that helps eliminate or reduce cravings. After the sauna program, the client learns those life skills essential to success in life and the ability to stay clean.  They graduate from Narconon with a life plan and continued support to make sure they make it in life.

Copyright @ 2008. Narconon of Georgia Inc.(www.drugsno.com) Call 1-877-413-3073. All rights reserved. Narconon and the Narconon Logo are trademarks and service marks owned by the Association for Better Living and Education International and are used with its permission. Narconon of Georgia is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation.