And the correct answer is…

1. Drug overdoses only affect people who are addicted to “serious” medications like pain killers and anti-anxiety drugs.

True

False

False. Acetaminophen overdoses send more than 55,000 people to the emergency room each year. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol, various cold medicines and other medications.

2. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise among teens and young people.

True

False

True. As many as one in five teens now say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it. One in five has abused pain killers.

3. It’s more dangerous for teens to experiment with “street” drugs than with what’s in the medicine cabinet.

True

False

False. If abused, over-the-counter drugs like cough medicine can be just as dangerous as illegal “street” drugs. When taken in large amounts, cough medicine can cause hallucinations, confusion, slurred speech, brain damage, nausea and vomiting, fever, headaches and rapid heartbeat. One in 10 teens has abused cough medicine.

4. If I buy an over-the-counter medication at a respectable pharmacy, it must be safe.

True

False

False. While the Federal Drug Administration must approve over-the-counter medicines, risks still exist. It’s important you read the Drug Facts Label before taking or giving any medicine. The label will help you understand the risks and dosage. It will also list the active ingredients. Taking several medicines with the same active ingredient can lead to overdose. It is a good idea to check with your health care provider or pharmacist to make sure that a new prescription or over-the-counter medication does not interact with your current drugs.

5. Seniors are more likely to accidentally overdose on medication than young or middle-age people.

True

False

False. While accidental overdoses are on the rise across all ages, the number of fatal medication errors by people 40 to 59 years-old rose more than any other age group (an incredible 890 percent!) between 1983 and 2004. Drug safety is important no matter what your age.