Comments on: Have You Talked to Your Kids About Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Abuse?

By: Glee Keeps Rocking The Hot Topics – 5 Minutes For Mom

Glee Keeps Rocking The Hot Topics – 5 Minutes For Mom — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:22:43 +0000

[...] only other shows on television could and would hit the important topics with such creativity and [...]

By: Loren

Loren — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:49:48 +0000

I watched the glee episode and they talked about taking decongestants and the thumbless cough syrup guy. I think that it was very irresponsible of the producers to put that on their show. There should be action toward this matter in my opinion and would like to write the producers a letter but I doubt they would even read it or even receive it.

By: Dr Mom Online

Dr Mom Online — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:47:47 +0000

I didn’t catch the Glee episode, so I can’t really comment on that. But, we DO talk a lot about drugs in our house. Our kids are 7 and 4.5.

We haven’t yet talked specifically about using an OTC to get high, we just normally talk about the dangers of ALL drugs, how their side effects/consequences are taken for granted, and how they’re completely overused an abused on a much larger scale than just to get high.

Guess I need to specifically address the recreational uses of OTC drugs now, too. Even though we don’t have a single drug in our house and neither kid has ever taken any kind of drug, unfortunately I realize that this isn’t enough anymore.

It’s hard to teach them a message that “drugs are bad” when all those drug commercials are filled with people that look SO much happier once they take their drugs!! argh.

By: rc

rc — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:08:01 +0000

Very informative post!

By: Tackle It Tuesday — Too Much Taxi Time

Tackle It Tuesday — Too Much Taxi Time — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:50:37 +0000

[...] is out of town (she’s in Washington, DC helping spread the message about OTC cough syrup abuse) and so I’m here playing school-bus [...]

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:45:26 +0000

I am a family therapist who worked mostly with drug-abusing teens and their families (before I became a SAHM). I often worked with kids who were abusing OTC’s. I always told the teens I worked with that they are now known as the ‘Rx generation’ because so many of them are abusing prescription meds (and OTC’s, which so many think are harmless since they are OTC).

Glad there are other moms and youth workers like you who are getting the message out, to our own kids, other parents, and most importantly, those who make the laws regarding meds.

By: The Redhead Riter

The Redhead Riter — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:28:22 +0000

“75 percent responded that parents do not talk to their children and teens about the dangers of abusing OTC cough meds. ”

HELLO! That is a huge part of parenting…communication and teaching. That quote just tells me that 75% of parents shouldn’t be parents. I talk to my daughter about EVERYTHING. If I don’t who will…let’s see, misguided teenagers, drug dealers, perverts…hmmm…I think I can do a better job than that which is why I talk about everything to the point of embarrassment if necessary. I’m her mother. It is my job and my responsibility. ) Great post! ♥

By: Jennifer, Snapshot

Jennifer, Snapshot — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:19:53 +0000

Be aware of what kind of drugs are in your house and who might have access to them (babysitters, kids’ friends etc!). It is a big deal.

I talk to my daughter about that kind of thing a lot (drugs, cigarettes, alcohol), but I realize that I do need to specifically mention the dangers of OTC drugs.

I don’t watch Glee, but I think it’s great when shows feature these types of topics that do open up discussions in homes.

By: Meghan Harvey

Meghan Harvey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:02:54 +0000

Great post! I was glad to see someone else looking at that episode of Glee. I do love the show & admit that the episode in general was funny, I did find it hard to watch something as serious as a clueless adult doling out OTC to teenagers. Anyone whose seen the damage that can be done by TC drug abuse by teens probably didn’t find the episode as funny.

I think that by throwing it into the show without any real show of the possible consequences, was a little irresponsible on the part of the show.

My kids are 4 & 6 so they aren’t up that late, and Glee is just a little but much for what I allow them to watch. I have not really talked too much to my son yet about drugs (the 6yo) but know that the time is coming… Thanks for reminding us how important a topic it is.

By: Dave Gerber

Dave Gerber — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:44:58 +0000

Drug abuse can hit too close to home sometimes. Unforunately, by the time you find out, it can be too late; so its helpful to be proactive.

By: Fruitfulvine2

Fruitfulvine2 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:27:36 +0000

Those are shocking stats. I need to speak with my husband so that we can come up with a game plan for talking to our children.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:11:32 +0000

Thank you. I’ve started talking to my kids at a young age about alcohol and drugs. This is timely information, our society needs it!

By: Corn

Corn — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:47:16 +0000

I do talk to all my kids that any kind of medicine is not candy, even the soar throat candy or Flinstones vitamins or anything that might look tempting to them. I love that they make medicine enticing for kids to take when they are sick with the different flavors and colors, but that can also be part of the problem. To them its sweet and fun looking and do not consider it harmful.