C OMMONLY A BUSED P RESCRIPTION AND OTC MEDIcaTIONS Substance Examples of Commercial and Street Names DEPRESSANTS barbiturates Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets Benzodiazepines Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax; candy, downers, sleeping (other than flunitrazepam) pills, tranks Flunitrazepam Rohypnol; forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, roofies, (associated with sexual assaults; roofinol, rope, rophies not sold in US, but may be brought in) OPIOIDS AND MORPHINE DERIVATIVES codeine Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine; Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide) doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup fentanyl and fentanyl analogs Actiq (oral), Duragesic (patch), Sublimaze; Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango & Cash morphine Roxanol, Duramorph; M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff oxycodone HCL Oxycontin; Oxy, O.C., killer hydrocodone bitartrate, acetaminophen Vicodin; vike, Watson-387 STIMULANTS amphetamine Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Adderall; bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers methylphenidate Ritalin; JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R (safe & effective for treatment of ADHD) OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) MEDICATION Dextromethorphan (DXM) Found in any cold medicine with “DM” or “Tuss” in the title or name; Orange Crush, Triple C’s, C-C-C, Red Devils, Skittles, Dex, Vitamin D, Robo, Robo-trippin’, Robo-dosing Additional Resources: www.drugfreeamerica.com www.theantidrug.com www.painfullyobvious.com www.nida.nih.gov www.freebive.com www.samhsa.gov F ACTS TIPS FOR P ARENTS S IGNS OF D RUG A BUSE • The 17th annual national study of teen drug Educate Yourself: Radical Changes in Behavior such as: abuse* reports that an alarming number of • Educate yourself about medications that • Acting especially angry or abusive, or engaging teenagers are abusing a variety of prescription kids are abusing, and share this information in reckless behavior. (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications with others who are in contact with your • Acting withdrawn, depressed or apathetic. to get high. children – school administrators, coaches, • The abuse of Rx and OTC medications intentionally counselors, etc. • Changes in friends. to get high is the new emerging category of • Getting into trouble at school, negative changes substance abuse. in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades. Communicate With Your Kids: • Kids as young as 12 are experimenting with, or • Lying or acting secretive or deceptive. • Discuss the subject with your teenagers. using, Rx and OTC medications non-medically. See what your kids know about peers using • Neglecting appearance or hygiene. • Approximately 1 in 5 teenagers has abused a medications without doctors’ orders. • Possessing unexplained valuables of cash. prescription painkiller to get high. • Set clear expectations with your teenagers, • Subtle changes in conversations with friends, • 1 in 10 teenagers has abused OTC cough letting them know that under no circumstances e.g., using “coded” language. medications intentionally to get high. should they ever take medications without your • Violating curfews or running away. • PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER knowledge. MEDICATIONS ARE JUST AS DANGEROUS AS ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES WHEN USED INAPPROPRIATELY OR Physical Signs: Safeguard Medications at Home and Other Places: ABUSED, AND CAN BE LETHAL. • Constant flu-like symptoms • Ask your healthcare provider if any medications prescribed for your family have a potential • Dilated pupils; pinpoint pupils; droopy eyes T HE PROBLEM for abuse. • Dry skin; itching; skin infections • Rx and OTC medications are easily accessible to kids • Take an inventory of Rx and OTC medications in • Elevated body temperatures (right in their home medicine cabinets). your home. Pay attention to quantities. • Fast heart beat; irregular heart beat • Rx and OTC medications are perceived by kids as • Keep medications out of reach – and out of easily • Hyperactivity safe compared to “street” drugs because they are accessible places like the medicine cabinet. legal, doctor-prescribed, and FDA-approved. • Loss of appetite or sudden and unexplained • If your child needs medications during school weight loss hours, speak with school officials about policies • Loss of coordination H OW K IDS A BUSE Rx AND for distributing medications to students. OTC M EDICATIONS If possible, personally take the medications to the • Nausea; vomiting; constipation school nurse. Make sure unused medications are • Paranoia • Swallow the pills or drink liquids. returned to you. • Crush the pills before snorting or smoking • Repetitive behaviors Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America the powder. • Respiratory depression • Melt or dissolve the medications and then • Seizures inject them. DISCLAIMER: Please read. • Shaking • Mix the medications with alcohol and street • Sleep deprivation or “nodding” drugs to make “cocktails.” The information in this brochure is not intended to replace proper medical supervision or advice. Always consult your doctor • Slow gait; slowed reflexes or other healthcare professional when you have questions or • Slow slurred speech concerns about prescription or over-the-counter medications. • Sweating *Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, • Track marks (bruised skin around Partnership for a Drug-Free America injection sites) (661) 255-4965 www.santa-clarita.com/blueribbon.