As a parent of a 14-year-old, I am becoming increasingly aware of the challenges that come with raising a teenager. With high school on the horizon, I’m finding it necessary to discuss topics like vaping, drugs, and peer pressure—conversations that can be uncomfortable but are crucial. Recently, I learned about a troubling phenomenon called Skittle parties.
When I think of Skittles, I remember the joyful days of snagging a bag of candy for just a few bucks, relishing those vibrant, chewy bursts of flavor. However, Skittle parties are not innocent gatherings; they pose significant dangers.
These parties, often referred to as Skittling or pharm parties, can take place in various locations—homes, parks, abandoned buildings, and hotel rooms. Teens often raid their parents’ medicine cabinets, gathering various prescription pills, which are then dumped into a bowl that resembles a colorful mix of Skittles. Participants can take whatever pills they want, with no way of knowing what they actually contain. This can lead to severe medical emergencies since mixing unknown pharmaceuticals can have disastrous consequences.
Take a moment to check your own medicine cabinet; you might find common medications like Xanax, Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, and Oxycodone. It’s alarmingly easy for kids to take a few pills without parents noticing. For many teens, accessing these prescription drugs seems harmless since there’s no direct interaction with drug dealers, and they often perceive these medications as safer than illegal street drugs. Unfortunately, the reality is that more people die from unintentional overdoses of prescription painkillers than from heroin and cocaine, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
While some might dismiss Skittle parties as a myth, the issue of teens abusing prescription medications is very real. Reports indicate that young adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rates of prescription drug abuse, with some kids as young as 12 experimenting with these substances.
As a parent, it can be overwhelming to navigate these new challenges. I grew up during the D.A.R.E. program era, where the message was simply to “just say no” to drugs, but that approach feels inadequate.
So, what can you do as a parent?
- Communicate Openly: Keep the lines of dialogue open with your teen. Let them know they can come to you with questions or concerns.
- Educate: Make sure your kids understand the risks of both recreational and prescription drugs. If you’re unsure how to approach this topic, consider enlisting help from a pediatrician or school counselor.
- Stay Involved: Know your child’s friends and their parents. Keep tabs on your teen’s online activity and text messages.
- Secure Medications: Store your prescriptions in a safe place, and dispose of expired medications properly through FDA guidelines.
While I hope that Skittle parties are more rumor than reality, I want to be prepared to discuss any possibility with my kids. It’s vital to recognize that the risk of exposure to drugs exists, and being informed is the best way to protect them.
For more insights on this topic, check out our other blog post here. If you’re looking for more information about home insemination, visit Make a Mom for expert advice. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development also offers valuable resources related to pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
As teenagers grow more independent, it’s essential for parents to stay informed about potential risks, including the concerning trend of Skittle parties, where prescription pills are mixed and consumed like candy. Open communication, education, and secure storage of medications can help mitigate these risks.
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