LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
CHMN 301 – D01
Foundations of Next Gen Ministry
Submitted to Dr. Steve Vandegriff
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
Disturbing Behavior
Prescription Medication Misuse and Abuse Among Adolescents
Introduction
Description
Examples
Consequences
Solutions
Biblical Response/Admonishments
Conclusion
Bibliography
Contents
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Introduction
Every generation perceives that the younger generation is involved in deviant or
disturbing behavior. That has almost been an American tradition for many decades. Often
those behaviors are benign and are nothing more than the up-and-coming generation
expressing themselves in new and creative ways. Generally speaking, the behaviors deemed
deviant are innocuous and simply an insult to the preferences of the older crowd. There are,
however, many characteristics and behaviors that are particularly alarming. One of those
frightening behaviors is the rise of the abuse of prescription drugs among adolescents.
Description
With the rise of modern medicine and more prolific access to pharmaceuticals comes a
higher risk for abuse and misuse of these marvelous tools. As per the CDC, there are more than
7.9 billion drugs prescribed every year. Over 73% of doctor visits result in dispensing a
controlled substance or a pharmaceutical (FastStats - Therapeutic Drug Use.). These
medications hallmark the advancement of modern medicine and have contributed to the ever-
increasing life expectancy among Americans. There is, unfortunately, a dark side to the flood of
prescribed pharmaceuticals in today's society which the misuse and abuse of those medications
by today's youth. The fastest-growing drug abuse problem in America is not cocaine, heroin, or
methamphetamines but prescription drugs.
Examples
A recent study by The Pathway Program (Rise in Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse
Impacting Teens.) found that more than 40% of 11th graders have abused cough and cold
medicine at least once in the last year. The same study also found that more than 21% have
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misused prescription drugs to achieve a high during their junior year. The level of use of
prescription drugs is more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines combined. This author
has seen this epidemic sweep through younger populations, especially throughout the
wealthier demographics throughout Latin America. One specific instance was a congressman's
son in Lima, Peru, who developed a raging addiction to pain medicines exposed. He nearly cost
his father his entire career and, worse, his life. While this congressman's son chose not to abuse
methamphetamines or cocaine, sneaking his grandmother's codeine pain medication is nearly
an everyday occurrence. The ready availability of medicines among aging populations provides a
clean and controlled high as close as grandma's medicine cabinet.
Consequences
The outcome of this behavior becoming such a widespread practice among today's
youth is the substance dependence of society's future. More than 60% of 11th graders abuse
cold medicine or another prescribed medication. This abuse can be detrimental to the
development of the pre-frontal cortex. The pre-frontal cortex is responsible for developing
priorities, formulating strategies, allocating attention, and controlling impulses. As the
adolescent brain is developing, the nurtured neurological pathways are the ones that develop
strongest and last the longest. If cultivated during adolescence, the impact of addiction may
lead to lifelong challenges. The misuse of the drugs also hinders judgment and inhibition,
opening the door to many other issues, including HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and
other risky behaviors.
There are spiritual side effects as well. The bible admonishes its readers of the dangers
of not being sober-minded in 1 Peter 5:8. The war believers are in is not a physical one but a
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spiritual one, and if the enemy can take out many of the next generations due to addictions,
that gives Satan a great advantage.
Solutions
There are several ways that parents and spiritual leaders can minimize prescription drug
abuse in our families and congregations. The first is education. A recent study shows that one in
four teenagers believe that a prescription drug will enhance their studying ability. Nearly one-
third of parents believe that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication can
improve a child's academic or testing performance, even if that child does not have ADHD.
Parents, prescribers, and spiritual leaders need education about the risks of prescription drugs
on the adolescent brain.
In addition to education, there needs to be an increase in monitoring the appropriately
prescribed prescription drugs. Two-thirds of teens who misuse prescription drugs say they
acquired them from friends and family with a legitimate prescription. Safe storage and
monitoring are essential components of the equation as they diminish easy access.
Biblical Response/Admonition
As Christians, a clear biblical mandate is to remain vigilant and sober-minded. If one
abuses substances such as prescription medications, then the state of mind achieved is not one
of sober-mindedness but one of distance and drug-induced fogginess. The believer reduces the
ability of the Holy Spirit to work through them as they prioritize immediate feelings over the
leading and guiding of Jesus in their lives. This type of misuse of prescription drugs may be a
secret sin that is not as "bad" as other drug abuse, but it can be just as dangerous and
detrimental to the developing youth.
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Conclusion
Parents and NextGen youth leaders need to be diligent and ready to recognize the signs
of prescription drug misuse. They also need to be willing to confront the suspected abuser
lovingly. There is no profit in allowing the abuse to continue for fear of a confrontation or
maintaining surface peace in the youth group or with the family. It is a guarantee that if one
leads the next generation, there is a good percentage of those children that have abuse
prescription drugs within the last year. We need to protect the hearts and minds of the next
generation of our society and, more importantly, the church.
“FastStats - Therapeutic Drug Use.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Mar. 2021, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use-
therapeutic.htm.
“Rise in Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Impacting Teens.” SAMHSA,
www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/rise-prescription-drug-
misuse-abuse-impacting-teens.
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Bibliography
