About Pharm Parties

From the Liquor Cabinet to the Medicine Cabinet

Years ago, one of parents’ major safety concerns was the liquor cabinet — and how to keep their children from sneaking a nip or two. In the last few years, the medicine cabinet has moved to the forefront of concern, ever since Pharm (short for pharmaceuticals) Parties hit the scene.

How Pharm Parties Work

Kids pilfer through their folks (or their grandparents) medicine cabinet in search of any prescription medicines. They grab 2 or 3 of each drug and then take them to a party to share with their friends. The drugs are tossed in a large bowl and the kids sample a handful of “trail mix,” as the deadly concoction is often referred. Drugs commonly found in the “trail mix” include:

• Xanax
• Vicodin
• Oxycontin
• Percocet
• Zoloft
• Prozac
• Wellbutrin

Kids don’t view these drugs as dangerous because they are not illegal and are prescribed by a physician. However, emergency rooms are increasingly treating kids suffering from the fatal combination of prescription medicines. Drug counselors across the country attest that pharm parties are becoming more prevalent. Even the media has jumped on this issue over that past few years, despite some reports that pharm parties are urban legend.

Prescription stimulants used to treat attention deficit disorders, such as Ritalin and Adderall,  are being passed along simply as a means of getting high. More and more kids are self-medicating their anxiety or depression with drugs like Xanax scored from their parents’ or friends’ parents’ prescriptions.

How Can You Determine If Your Teen Is Abusing Drugs?

Look for the following warning signs and symptoms in your teen:

• Fatigue
  
• Repeated health complaints
• Red and glazed eyes
• Personality change
• Sudden mood changes
• Irritability
• Irresponsible behavior
• Low self-esteem
• Poor judgment
• Depression and a general lack of interest
• Being unduly argumentative
• Withdrawing from the family
• Negative attitude
• Poor grades
• Excessive absences
• Truancy and discipline problems

What You Can Do

If you suspect that your teen has a problem with drug abuse, contact your health-care provider so that he or she can perform an adequate medical evaluation. You can also contact a support group in your community dedicated to helping families coping with addiction.