Facts & Information

• Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction ­ Provides scientific information about the disease of drug addiction, including the many harmful consequences of drug abuse and the basic approaches that have been developed to prevent and treat the disease.
• A Focus on Heroin & Opioids: From Understanding to Action ­ Information to understand the opioid epidemic and how to take action.
• Drug Facts: Heroin ­ Facts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• Prescription Drugs and Cold Medicines ­ Some medications have psychoactive (mind­altering) properties and, because of that, are sometimes abused—that is, taken for reasons or in ways or amounts not intended by a doctor, or taken by someone other than the person for whom they are prescribed. In fact, prescription and over­the­counter (OTC) drugs are, after marijuana (and alcohol), the most commonly abused substances by Americans 14 and older.
• Prescription Opioids and Heroin ­ Facts on prescription opioids and heroin from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• That’s Right. Addiction is a Disease. Video ­ Video presentation from the Partnership for Drug­Free Kids.
• Rx and OTC Drug Guide ­ Teen medicine abuse is an epidemic ­ one that is not poised to get better. But there are steps we can all take, starting with getting educated about the types of medicine that teens frequently abuse, you can take the first step in helping to end medicine abuse. Here, you can learn about the prescription and over­the­counter drugs that teens are most commonly abusing, including what they look like, their street or slang names, how they’re taken and what the potential side effects are.
• The Teen Brain ­ Scientists are beginning to learn that it takes a brain about 25 years to fully develop, and that a huge burst of development happens during adolescence. That burst can explain a lot of unpredictable – and sometimes risky – teen behavior.

Prevention

• The Parent Toolkit ­ Whether your child is toddling through preschool, meandering through middle school or cruising through his ’20s ­­ here are tips to help guide him toward a healthy life at every age!
• Join a Community Anti­Drug Coalition ­ Community Anti­Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is the leading substance abuse prevention organization, representing over 5,000 community based coalitions across the United States and in 22 countries who work to create safe, healthy, and drug­free communities. CADCA’s Membership Department is ready and able to connect you with our coalition network which reaches into every U.S. state and territory.
• Free Online Course: “Medicine Safety: Drug Disposal and Storage”
• 6 Parenting Practices ­ 6 practices that will help you reduce the chances your child will develop a drug or alcohol problem.
• How to Connect with Your Kids ­ Teens say that parents are the most important influence when it comes to drugs and alcohol. This link provides information for parents on how to bond with your teenagers as well as 8 ways to talk with your teen about drugs and alcohol.
• Family Checkup ­ highlight parenting skills that are important in preventing the initiation and progression of drug use among youth.
• National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month and Online Toolkit for Community Leaders ­ CADCA’s online prescription drug abuse prevention toolkit introduces facts, strategies, and tools to prevent and reduce teen prescription drug abuse in your communities.
• SAMHSA ­ Parent Resources ­ Underage Drinking ­ Check out these resources to help you start—and keep up—the conversation about the dangers of drinking alcohol at a young age.
• Teen engagement ­ Resources to help teens live “Above the Influence” and learn the facts about drugs and alcohol.
• The Medicine Abuse Project ­ The Medicine Abuse Project website includes information about prevention of prescription drug abuse, painkiller addiction, and over­the­counter (OTC) medicine abuse. It provides information about how to dispose of medicine and how to safeguard the medicine in your home, as well as lists medicine abuse facts and includes comprehensive information about the most abused prescription drugs.

Facts Sheet

Facts on Underage Drinking