Drug Prevention, Do’s and Don’ts

Below you will find the do’s and don’ts of drug prevention and how to avoid prescription drug abuse online. If you require more information regarding drug prevention on do’s and don’ts contact Teen Challenge London and we will be glad to help.

What NOT to do when you find out a loved one has a drug addiction

Don’t attempt to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach.
Don’t try to be a martyr. Avoid emotional appeals that may only increase feelings of guilt and the compulsion to drink or use drugs.
Don’t allow yourself to cover up or make excuses for the alcoholic or drug addict or shield them from the realistic consequences of their behavior.
Don’t take over their responsibility, leaving them with no sense of importance or dignity.
Don’t hide or dump bottles, throw out drugs, or shelter them from situations where alcohol is present.
Don’t argue with the person when they are impaired or high.
Don’t try to drink along with the problem drinker or take drugs with the drug abuser.
Above all, don’t feel guilty or responsible for another’s behavior.

What to Do

Try to remain calm, unemotional, and factually honest about their behavior and its day–to–day consequences.
Let the person with the problem know that you are reading and learning about alcohol and drug abuse.
Discuss the situation with someone you trust, someone from the clergy, a social worker, a counselor, a friend, or a trusted organization like us, Teen Challenge London.
Establish and maintain a healthy atmosphere in the home, and try to include the alcohol/drug abuser in the family life.
Explain the nature of alcoholism and drug addiction to the children in the family and that help is available.
Encourage new interests and participate in leisure time activities that the person enjoys. Encourage them to make friends with people who do not share the same problems.
Refuse to ride with anyone who’s been drinking heavily or using drugs.

Remember: The user must want help themselves no matter how much you want them to get help. They must see they have a problem and they want help, then we can help them.

Prescription Drug Prevention - Some do's and don'ts

Ordering prescription drugs online can save you time and sometimes even money — but you must be careful. Some drugs that are legal in England are illegal in other countries. You are subject to the judicial system of every country you visit, and it is your responsibility to know about the drug laws before you go. To make the most of your health and avoid drug-related problems, keep in mind the following safeguard with these simple do's and don'ts.

Ordering prescription drugs online may save you time and even money. Many online pharmacies provide information about drug interactions. Some even e-mail alerts when a drug is recalled or a generic equivalent becomes available. But be extra careful. Some online pharmacies ship expired drugs or those that haven't been stored properly. Others don't require a prescription or check for drug interactions. Some sites skirt the edge of legality.

To safeguard your health and finances, remember these simple do's and don'ts. Things to do:

Do consult your doctor. Your doctor can determine if a particular drug is safe for you or if another treatment would be more appropriate. Make sure your doctor knows all the medications you're taking, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Do use a licensed pharmacy. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy can tell you whether a particular online pharmacy is licensed and in good standing. Some sites carry a seal of approval from Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites, or VIPPS. To gain this approval, sites must maintain state licenses and allow inspections by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
Do insist on access to a registered pharmacist. Reputable sites offer toll-free access to registered pharmacists for help answering your medication questions. Some online pharmacies have traditional physical locations as well. If you have questions about a medication after you begin taking it or you're concerned about drug reactions, it may be especially valuable to speak with a pharmacist in person.
Do read the privacy and security policies. Before placing an order, be confident that your credit card number, personal health information and other personally identifiable information will be protected.
Do compare prices. You may find great deals online. But there aren't any guarantees. Your local drugstore might beat the online price.
Do be careful of counterfeit drugs. Some medicines sold by online Web sites are outright fakes. There have been cases where drugs ordered online turned out to be nothing more than dietary supplements, contained harmful doses of the wrong drug or contained no medication at all. Be suspicious if there's no way to contact the Web site pharmacy by phone, if prices seem too good to be true or if you're told no prescription is required. The best defense is to know what your medicine should look like. Knowing the size, shape, color, taste, texture, smell or hardness of a medication may help you identify a drug that is counterfeit. Also be alert for altered or unsealed packaging. Some of the drugs most commonly counterfeited include those to treat high cholesterol, weight loss and erectile dysfunction.
Do be cautious of sites based in foreign countries. Legitimate international sites exist. But there are risks. The product label or instructions may be in a language you don't understand. The medication may not be held to the same rigorous safety standards. Medication sold in the UK may be a different product with the same name in another country. Some foreign sites sell drugs that are illegal in the UK.

Things Not to do:

Don't use a site that bypasses prescriptions. Only your doctor can safely prescribe medication and monitor side effects.
Don't order medication that's not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Taking an inappropriate or unsafe drug may have life-threatening consequences.
Don't overlook the address and phone number. Steer clear of sites that don't provide a street address and phone number or that list only foreign contact information. An e-mail address isn't enough.
Don't succumb to false claims. Don't buy medication from sites that advertise "miracle cures" or those that use impressive terminology to disguise a lack of good science.
Don't keep complaints quiet. If your order doesn't arrive, you find unauthorized charges on your credit card or you have another problem with an online pharmacy, report it to the FDA. Speaking up can help promote a safer marketplace for everyone.

Take control

When your doctor prescribes a medication, make sure you understand why you need it — and how to take it correctly. Whether you fill your prescription at a local pharmacy or online, make sure you get just what the doctor ordered.

Is your name printed correctly on the medication label?
Is the name of the medication correct?
Does the dosage match the prescription?
Is the packaging intact?
Is the expiration date clearly listed?
Do the instructions make sense?
Is there printed information about warnings and precautions?

If you have any questions or concerns, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking the medication. A simple phone call may help you prevent a potentially serious or costly mistake.

Lastly, any unused medication should be taken back to the pharmacist to be disposed off not dumped into the bin for drug addicts to find.