Prescription misuse putting Canadian youth at risk

Teens are reportedly scavenging for drugs and ingesting them at random at pharma parties

As periodically reported in this blog, prescription drug abuse is becoming one of the most salient substance misuse issues in all of Canada's provinces. And while posing a significant threat to the entire population of the country, abusing medication is becoming a popular trend amongst the Canadian youth.

In fact, according to the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, more than 70 percent of the polled respondents suggested that they have been able to access prescription drugs by stealing them out of a medicine cabinet. In fact, the popularity of abusing medication is becoming so popular that is has been reported that youth prescription intake has eclipsed cigarette smoking.

This is worrisome as it is leading Canada's youth to engage in extremely dangerous and debilitating behavior. For example, according to Dr. Jessica Hopkins – Associate Medical Officer of Health at Niagara Region – young members of the Canadian population have begun a new trend called "pharma parties." These gatherings involve a series of adolescents and young teens snatching up whatever medication they can find in their region, throw them together into a bowl, and consume mystery prescription cocktails with alcohol.

But, adults are widely misusing prescription drugs as well. In fact, reports state that oftentimes citizens will shop around from physician to physician, making up ailments until they attain the drugs they seek.

Considering such, many organizations throughout the Canadian provinces are calling for drug takeback programs in which outdated drugs are taken for proper disposal so they cannot be abused by scavengers. One of the most effective methods to properly get rid of drugs that could become a public safety risk is by partnering with a product disposal service. These professionals can help facilitate both corporate and residential shredding programs so that any businesses or private citizens in the nation can rest assured that excess medication will be permanently destroyed.

Comments