"BILY Too - The Youth Group's" - Links to Recovery (Click)
Rx Danger Zones: The Search Starts at Home
Where are teens getting prescription drugs? Teens say they are readily available -- in their own homes, from friends or relatives, and online pharmacies. Check these hotspots in your own home and neighborhood, and learn how to safeguard your prescriptions -- and your teen.
Your Home
A teen may scout his own home first if he’s looking to get high from prescription or over-the-counter drugs. You can address this troubling trend by safeguarding and monitoring all of the medications in your house -- whether they’re in your bathroom, bedroom, teen’s room, living room, kitchen, or garage.
1. Bathroom
- Bathroom counter
Keep all medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, in a safe place -- such as a locked cabinet -- that you can monitor easily and that your teen cannot access.
Examples of over-the-counter and prescription drugs include Sudafed, Coricidin Cough and Cold (Triple C), and Viagra.
- Medicine cabinet
Think carefully about the pills that are in your family’s medicine cabinet. Do you have Vicodin for your bad back? Percocet for that recurring knee injury? Painkillers like these are the prescription drugs most likely to be abused by teens. If you think your child might be abusing painkillers, look for signs like constricted pupils, mood swings, personality changes, clumsiness, or drowsiness.
Examples of painkillers include OxyContin, Vicodin, and Tylenol with Codeine
- Toilet
For environmental reasons, never flush any medications down the toilet or drain, unless the prescription bottle specifically says you should.
- Trashcan
If you have unneeded or expired medications, properly conceal and dispose of them by putting them in a bag or container, and mixing them with something unappealing, like kitty litter or coffee grounds. Then throw the bag in the trash. Also, remove any personal, identifiable information from prescription bottles or pill packages before you throw them away.
2. Parents' Bedroom
- Bedside table
Remember that you are your child’s most important role model. If you are taking prescription or OTC drugs for sleep problems, explain to your teen why you are taking them, that you keep track of your dosages, and that it is not safe to use them without a medical provider’s approval.
Examples of common sleep aids include Ambien and Unisom.
3. Teen's Bedroom
- Drawer
There is a fine line between respecting your teen’s privacy and keeping him or her safe. Be alert for signs that your teen is in trouble, such as empty medicine bottles or packages in his/her room. Also watch for signs such as secretiveness, withdrawal from friends and family, or trouble in school.
Packages to look for include Robitussin, NyQuil, Zantrax, Phentramine, and Ex-Lax.
- Backpack
While many students appropriately take stimulants prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), some teens are sharing these drugs with their friends to party or help them concentrate more in school. In fact, nearly one in four kids with a prescription for stimulant medication has been approached with offers to sell, give, or trade their drugs. If your teen has a prescription for stimulants, monitor dosage and the number of pills. Signs of stimulant abuse include anxiety, flushed skin, excessive energy, lack of sleep, irritability, or loss of appetite.
Examples of stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta.
4. Living Room
- Computer
Many Web sites provide detailed information on which prescription and OTC drugs -- and how much of them -- to take to get high, and for different effects. Teens often swap stories of their drug experiences and offer “tips” on social networking sites such as Facebook.com, which also may encourage risky behaviors. They can also surf the Internet for hundreds of pharmacies that sell prescription drugs without a prescription.
Always monitor your teen’s time online, set limits and rules about which sites are okay to visit, and check Web site histories.
If you suspect your teen is abusing depressants, look for warning signs, including slurred speech, sleepiness, moodiness, forgetfulness, or disorientation.
Examples of depressants include Xanax and Valium.
- Mom's purse
Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including carefully following instructions and dosages, even for OTC products like pain relievers. If you set a good example in your approach to all medicines, you will instill good habits in your children.
Examples of OTC pain relievers include Tylenol, Advil, and Excedrin.
5. Kitchen
- Kitchen counter
While you might not see a reason for teens to abuse blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering medications, some teens might try any pills just to see what effect they will have, or trade for other pills. Always keep track of pill amounts, dosages, and the number of remaining refills. Be on alert for missing pills and talk with your teen right away if you suspect they’ve been taken.
Examples of blood pressure medications and statins include Diovan and Lipitor.
- Refrigerator
In addition to safeguarding your medications, be sure to monitor the number of beer cans, wine and other alcohol bottles, as well as whipped cream cans in your refrigerator. Teens can abuse these staples in combination with prescription drugs or street drugs, resulting in dire consequences.
Examples of alcohol and inhalants include beer, wine, and “whippets” or “whip hits” (nitrous oxide used in whipped cream dispensers as a propellant).
6. Garage
- Car
Teen drivers admit to engaging in increasingly risky driving behaviors, including taking drugs, drinking, and talking or text messaging on cell phones, which are more likely to cause crashes.Before your teen gets behind the wheel, talk about the dangers of drunk, drugged, and distracted driving.
- Storage
Sniffing or huffing ordinary household items is dangerous and can even result in death. Signs of an inhalant abuse problem include chemical odors on breath or clothing, drunk or disoriented appearance, slurred speech, and missing household items.
Examples of inhalants include computer screen cleaner, cooking spray, glue, and nailpolish remover
7. With Friends
Talk with the parents in other households your teen has access to about safeguarding medications. Discuss what you do in your own home and encourage them to take similar safety precautions. Specifically ask other parents not to give your child any medications without your permission. You could also coordinate with other parents to set up an “early warning system” to alert each other if you suspect something is going on.
- Cell phone
Teens often get prescription and over-the-counter drugs from their friends. And with cell phones and PDAs, they are able to instantly message with friends and acquaintances about getting and partying with drugs.
- Liquor cabinet
Since many teens report mixing pills with alcohol and other drugs, it is important to set clear rules for your teen about all drugs, including never sharing, mixing, or taking someone else’s medicine.
8. Grandparents' House
Grandparents may be another source of prescription drugs for teens. In fact, 10 percent of teens say they took drugs from friends or relatives without asking. Talk to your extended family about your concerns and ask them to safeguard their medications.
- Pillbox
Many seniors are on medications for chronic, long-term conditions and may not monitor pill amounts closely or throw away expired medications. Offer to help them take inventory and properly dispose of unused drugs.
9. School
Talk to school nurses, teachers, coaches, and counselors about teen prescription drug abuse to ensure they are aware of the problem and know the warning signs. Request that they notify you immediately if they notice anything unusual or suspect your teen is abusing prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
10. Store
Some stores and retail chains have started to keep cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) behind the counter to help limit teen abuse of these drugs. But teens often get around this by store-hopping or taking turns buying these products. Be on the lookout for store receipts, empty bottles of cough syrup, cans of whipped cream, or pill packets among your teen’s things. Also be aware if they tend to hit the grocery store before heading out with friends.
Information provided by the Office of National Drug Control Policy
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Youth Program Director
David is the Youth Program Director for "BILY Too - The Youth Group". Additionally, he is the current Vice President of Because I Love You Board of Directors. David's been with the group since the late 1980's. David grew up as a teen who attended the BILY Too Youth Group not because he wanted to, but because he hated what had begun happening with his parents (they had begun applying the BILY 10 Steps at home). David was rebellious, misunderstood and felt alone as most teenagers today feel. Although his initial goal of attending the weekly group was to help the other teens rebel against their parents, he soon learned more about himself and ultimately survived the group and came back to share with those in similar situations as he was.
David facilitates weekly groups at the Granada Hills location. David's long term goal for Because I Love You is to expand the youth group to a national level, reaching out to teens everywhere, as the Because I Love You Parent Support Group has done for parents.
David conducts quarterly training seminars for selected youth from the groups in an effort to create a greater ownership of the BILY process, as well as to teach them about becoming peer counselors.
Outside of "BILY Too - The Youth Group", David works as a supervisor for Tarzana Treatment Centers, one of Los Angeles’ largest substance abuse and mental health treatment providers. He works with a great team of staff that provide direct care and counseling to youth, this is in addition to his continuing his education. David hopes to soon achieve a Masters Degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Human Development.
David is thankful for the opportunity to work with Because I Love You, The Parent Support Group and "BILY Too - The Youth Group". BecauseILoveDave@aol.com
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Youth Group Counselor
Lisa C. originally began with B.I.L.Y. 15 years ago with her mom. Lisa was a typical teenage girl who thought the world revolved around her and that her mom was always wrong about everything. That was, until her mom decided to take matters into her own hands and join an organization with a program that would help her gain respect and parenthood skills back in her life. Lisa learned quickly, it was her moms way, or the highway. Lisa learned so much from her small group ...she really enjoyed coming to group every week and in a matter of months became a "assistant small group" leader.
As time moved on Lisa graduated high school and went to college, then got into her career as a very successful businesswoman, which she has been doing for 8 years now. Her passion has always been to give back to B.I.L.Y. since it helped her so much as a young troubled teen.
Her mom and step-dad were on the board of directors for B.I.L.Y. for over 15 years. They still attend the "Because I Love You Communication Camp" and, although they moved out of state, they continue to show support and participate whenever they can. In fact they plan to start a BILY in Arizona one day soon.
Lisa's main goal is to help those in need, to give support, and provide comfort. All Lisa wants to do is make a difference... one life at a time... and she thanks B.I.L.Y., Too for the opportunity to do so!
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Youth Group Counselor
Emily G. joined the B.I.L.Y. group in April of 2006. Although she had never attended the meetings herself as a youth, she had known others, some close friends, that were involved in Because I Love You.
Emily experienced many of the same things as other teenagers growing up, and as many do while trying to fit in, she suffered the consequences similar to those of other doing the things she did.
"Sometimes all a person needs is an understanding, objective listener, who is not their parent, to give them a little guidance.
After High School, Emily attended college in Santa Barbara. After a couple years she returned to LA where she finished her undergraduate degree Education and then obtained her teaching credentials at C.S.U.N. She has been an elementary school teacher for 7 years, and currently teaches 5th grade in North Hills.
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Youth Group Counselor
Jonathan P, also known as “J.P.”, joined the B.I.L.Y group in 2007. A graduate from Granada Hills High School in 1991, J.P. found out about B.I.L.Y. from a colleague at his office and immediately became interested in becoming a Youth Group Counselor.
As a teenager, J.P. was headed in the wrong direction in life. He was exposed to drugs and gangs and made some poor decisions in his life before straightening out in his senior year of high school. He credits his older brother’s issues with drugs as the main reason why he changed his ways in life. “I saw how drugs stripped my brother of all of his abilities and talents in life and I did not want to repeat the same mistakes he made.”
After graduating high school, J.P. made a commitment to himself to be the 1st person in his family to graduate college. In 1997 J.P. graduated from CSUN with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Public Relations and a minor in Sociology
JP has been a successful Realtor for over 10 years and finds it rewarding to give back to the teens of B.I.L.Y. “I have seen and been through a lot in my life. I feel that I can relate to the challenges that kids are facing today. I want to show them that if I could do it then they can straighten out their lives, too” said JP.
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