Teenagers and Oxycontin

Oxycontin and other opioid drugs (like Percodan, Vicodin, Morphine, and even heroin) can be taken orally, snorted, or injected. Teenagers can gain access to these drugs through their parents medicine cabinets, over the Internet, of from drug dealers. Effects of these drugs can be impaired thinking, profound lethargy, and even death from overdose. Withdrawal from these drugs - which often causes the user to return to drug use - can include insomnia, muscle crampimg, tearing eyes, a runny nose, and large pupils. If you suspect your teenager is using these sorts of drugs, ask about it! You will probably have to get your teenager drug-tested and under the care of an addiction specialist to detoxify him or her, and help avoid harmful drug use in the future.For more information about the use and abuse of opioid drugs, you can look at the Office of National Drug Control Policy's web page on Painkillers, at http://www.theantidrug.com/drug-information/otc-prescription-drug-abuse/prescription-drug-rx-abuse/painkillers.aspx.