Recently, you may have heard a lot about so-called designer drugs, and how they’re commonly available to teenagers. Although those certainly pose dangers, young people are often able to find drugs in a location that’s much more accessible: The home medicine cabinet.
Studies, like this one from 12 Keys Rehab, have found how as many as 27 percent of teenagers think using prescription drugs is safer than trying street drugs. Also, 30 percent held the belief that it’s okay to take drugs prescribed by a doctor for a reason other than to treat a genuine illness or injury.
Think about those statistics, and consider that the prescription drugs in your home are probably freely accessible to any curious teens that may come across them. That’s not a reason to be paranoid and avoid keeping prescription drugs on hand when they’re needed, but it’s a good idea to at least store them securely to prevent misuse by teens who feel compelled to conform to behaviors encouraged by peers.