What Parents And Teens Need To Know About Medicine Abuse

Raising my children, now 21 and 23, has been an honor and a privilege. Though, I would be lying if I said every moment has been wonderful. Teachable moments aren’t always easy. But the one constant while raising them has been that they always were and always will be my most favorite people on earth.

The teen years bring thrills and challenges as we help shape and guide them into kind, productive, responsible adults. Aside from worrying about about driving and drugs and sex, (oh my!), and, handling the occasional mouthiness (their’s too!), I found my teens bright, curious, hardworking, responsible, kind, and, for the most part, rule followers, but, thankfully, not “followers.” I am blessed.

Why am I mentioning this? Because October is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and like the mother hen that I am, I jumped at the chance when Stop Medicine Abuse asked me to join their #ToMyTeen campaign, to educate parents about over-the-counter cough medicine abuse and to inspire parents to speak openly with their kids.  As someone who has parented teens, I know it seems like they aren’t listening, but, trust me, they do. (Though they’ll never admit it!)

Here are some facts you should know:

1 in 3 teens knows someone who has abused cough medicine to get high.
1 in 25 reports taking large or excessive amounts of DXM (an active ingredient found in many cough medicines)
Teens who learn about the risk of drugs from their parents are 50% less likely to use drugs.
Research shows that kids who are validated by their parents are more confident and more resistant to peer pressure. Please speak with your kids and take a look at the info graphic below.

Please join our team by sharing your thoughts on what raising teens/tweens means to you and you will be entered for the chance to win a $50 VISA card. It’s fun and easy!

1. Visit to ToMyTeen.org and answer one of our questions about raising teens and tweens today
2. Write down your answer on a large piece of paper
3. Take a photo holding up your answer
4. Upload it to the site
5. Share your images on Twitter or Facebook and include the hashtag #ToMyTeen. Invite and encourage your friends and family to join the campaign

Please visit StopMedicineAbuse.org, and on Facebook and Twitter to learn more. Let’s keep our children safe.

Join @StopMedAbuse and a panel of experts as they chat about raising confident teens. The twitter party will be held on Tuesday, October 7 from 9-10 p.m. ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). To participate please use the #ToMyTeen hashtag. Click here to see details about the giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

 

This is a sponsored post. The opinions are 100% mine.