New Survey: Too Few Parents Worry About Teen Prescription Drug Abuse

PHOENIX - Only 6 percent of parents are concerned about their children abusing prescription drugs, according to a survey released today by Project 7th Grade /Link Text, a national program of notMYkid, a non-profit organization devoted to drug abuse prevention among teens. Statistics show at least three students in every high school classroom abuse prescription drugs.

Statistics have shown that teens believe prescription drugs are safer than illicit drugs, driving the proliferation of such trends as "pharm parties" where teens mix and trade pills with one another to get high, leading to dangerous and sometimes deadly outcomes. Ongoing, honest discussions between parents and their children can serve as a way to teach children about the perils of drug use, help them find the best ways to turn down offers to try drugs and also give parents insights into the peer pressures that kids face at school each day.

The survey, conducted by national polling firm RT Strategies on August 2- 5, 2007, polled 1,000 adults nationwide as part of Project 7th Grade and First Check, the maker of a home drug test kit that checks for both illicit and prescription drugs.

"As parents across the country prepare to send their teens back to school, they must be aware of the potential dangers their children will likely encounter during the school year," said Debbie Moak, co-founder of Project 7th Grade and notMYkid. "The good news is that we are seeing a decrease in the use of some traditionally popular illicit drugs. The bad news is that teens' use and abuse of easily accessible prescription drugs continues to grow at an alarming rate -- yet parents aren't concerned about that threat.

"We must raise awareness of these drug trends so parents realize that talking to their kids about drug abuse and prevention before heading back to school is on par with buying school supplies -- both are necessary and will lay the foundation for a successful and healthy school year," continued Moak.

Key findings of the survey include:

-- Two-thirds of parents believe their children will first be exposed to

drugs between the ages of 10 and 15.

-- Close to 75 percent of respondents believe that drug testing of teens

should be the responsibility of parents.

-- Over 70 percent of parents say they have not purchased a home drug test

kit because they have not had the need. However, over 36 percent of

high school seniors reported using illicit drugs at some point in the

year. By age 17, 70 percent of teens will have been offered an illegal

drug (1).

-- Almost 80 percent of parents deny there are easily accessible

prescription drugs in their home. Unfortunately, more than 10 percent

of 12 to 17 year olds have taken prescription drugs from relatives or

friends without asking, and nearly half say they get prescription drugs

for free from relatives or friends (2).

This survey is part of First Check and Project 7th Grade's annual Back to School campaign, which extends beyond just the start of the school year. Project 7th Grade offers free seminars for parents of middle school children year round to help them begin an early dialogue with their children about the perils of substance abuse, giving parents insight on ways to prevent drug abuse and incorporating home drug testing as a cornerstone of deterrence. For those who attend Project 7th Grade programs, the organization provides a complimentary First Check home drug testing kit that

The Back to School program also includes an online tool kit to help parents prepare and communicate with their children to ensure a safe and drug free school year. The tool kit, available at http://www.firstchecktips.com/, includes Back to School tips for kids and parents, conversation starters and a list of common school supplies.

"Based on our experience, typically teens have been abusing drugs for two years before parents even realize there is a problem. And while more than two-thirds of parents say they are willing to drug test their teen, only 4 percent have actually purchased a test kit," said Moak. "We believe that having a drug test kit in the home not only helps parents begin an ongoing dialogue with their child about drugs, but it acts as a deterrent to teens as they are faced with peer pressure to try drugs."

About Project 7th Grade -- Project 7th Grade is a fully-funded, innovative drug prevention program designed to reduce drug use among middle school students through education and proactive prevention. Project 7th Grade works with school districts, law enforcement, community organization, and the media to bring this program to parents and communities across the country. Project 7th Grade informs parents of middle school students about today's drug-related issues, and provides guidance about using a drug test kit as a prevention tool. At the conclusion of the presentation each family is given a complimentary First Check drug test kit. For additional information, please visit http://www.project7thgrade.org/.