Youth Resources

TODAY'S CHALLENGES FOR OUR YOUTH

Among U.S. youth ages 12 to 17, more than 750,000 report misusing pain relievers at least once in the past year. Nearly 60% of youth, ages 12 to 17, report that the source of their most recent misuse of prescription pain relievers was a friend or relative.

Children and young adults are particularly susceptible to drug abuse and addiction because their brains are still developing.

The reasons young people misuse prescription painkillers are the same reasons for experimenting with other drugs: peer pressure, to relieve stress or depression, to increase alertness in order to perform better in school or sports, to manage weight, or simply as an escape.

The common misperception about opioids and prescription painkillers are that they are safe to use because they were prescribed by a doctor, which is especially dangerous for children.

As America wrestles with the best way to confront the opioid epidemic, it is critical that attention is also paid to the families affected by the epidemic, and particularly to the impact on children. The long-term health, social-emotional, and educational outcomes of these children are all influenced by the trauma of having a parent who misuses opioids.

U.S. Health and Human Services notes that the number of children in foster care has risen to more than 428,000 and parental addiction was cited as the cause in at least 32% of cases.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND IN YOUR LIFE STRUGGLING WITH MISUSE OR ADDICTION?

The most important thing you can do is let your friend know that you are there for them and you care! Talk openly with them, and let them know you support them and will help in any way you can. Encourage them to seek help from an adult or substance abuse organization.

If your friend is unwilling to seek help or you see that the misuse or addiction is getting worse, reach out to a non-threatening, caring and understanding adult for help, like a parent or school counselor. It may seem like ratting out on your friend, but it is honestly the best thing you could do for your friend - and could save their life!

WHAT IF YOUR PARENT OR AN ADULT IN YOUR LIFE IS STRUGGLING WITH MISUSE OR ADDICTION?

If you are noticing the signs of addiction in your parent or an adult in your life, there are several actions you can take:

• Learn more about the signs and symptoms of substance use.
• Pay attention and take note of how the person is behaving, especially the areas that have you concerned. What are they doing that is making you feel there could be an issue? Take note of the types of substances being taken (pills, alcohol, heroin, etc), how much and how often they are consuming, any negative consequences you see, and the person's responses if they are confronted about the issue. This is helpful information to have if you decide to talk directly to the person or to another adult about the issues.
• Share what you have noted with other family members or friends to get their input on the situation. If they agree, determine if you want to talk to the person directly or contact professional help.
• Contact a substance use professional (see below), a mental health professional (such as Starting Point), a guidance counselor, clergy or other professional to help you. Describe the situation and the behavior you have noted and see how the professional recommends moving forward.
• Make sure that you and other family members are safe from potential physical or emotional harm. If there is a threat or possibility of physical violence, seek help immediately from a trusted adult or service.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Help Services Administration national helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889, again, is a good place to start if a friend or adult in your life is struggling with opioid misuse.