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Health & Fitness

Mommy's Time Out: Heroin at Home

A recent survey of parents, conducted by Partnership at Drugfree.org, a non-profit organization, found that parents are, seemingly, unaware of the dangers lurking in their medicine cabinets.

A recent survey of parents, conducted by Partnership at Drugfree.org, a non-profit organization, found that parents are, seemingly, unaware of the dangers lurking in their medicine cabinets.  While most parents expressed concern that their children may experiment with drugs, few were concerned about prescription drugs. This is alarming considering the prescription drug epidemic consuming, particularly, the South Shore. 

 Prescription drugs, specifically opiate based pain medications, are the primary focus of my concern as a mother and a professional working with adolescents.  I must admit, due to my professional exposure, I am more educated and trained on the topic than most parents, however, those who aren’t educated need to become educated.  Opiates are highly addictive and prescription pain medication abuse ultimately leads to its less expensive, counterpart Heroin.  Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, Codine, Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Heroin are all opiates, which means they are interchangeable for an addict.  Why pay $30-$80 for a pill when you can buy heroin for $5?

What can parents do?  Educate themselves and their children.  Properly dispose of unused pain medication and/or lock up prescription drugs that are potentially addictive and harmful.  Never give your children drugs that are not prescribed to them for any reason and if a doctor prescribes pain medication for legitimate reasons, take control and monitor use.  Whenever a doctor prescribes a child a controlled or addictive substance for medical reasons, do your research and see if there are safer alternatives.  Over-prescribing to children is creating future addicts.

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In the near future, Brockton will be opening a recovery high school for southeast Massachusetts.  This high school will provide an educational environment tailored for recovering addicts.  The fact that a high school of this type is necessary should be alarm enough for parents to become for involved and proactive surrounding drug prevention, education, and awareness.

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