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Oxy Fact Sheet
How many times has someone told you a “party” drug could lead to more serious
problems — like addiction, brain damage, or even death? You’ve probably heard it so
many times, it’s getting hard to believe. But all drugs have real potential for harm—even prescription
pain relievers. When abused, alone or taken with other drugs, prescription pain
medications can kill you.
Prescription pain relievers, when used correctly and under a doctor’s supervision,
are safe and effective. But abuse them, or mix them with illegal drugs or alcohol, and
you could wind up in the morgue. Even using prescription pain relievers with other
prescription drugs can lead to life-threatening respiratory failure. That’s
why people just like you are dropping pills at parties, and dropping dead. With some prescription pain relievers, all it takes is
one pill.
The most dangerous prescription pain relievers are those containing drugs known as
opioids, such as morphine and codeine. This includes OxyContin. Your friends probably
call these drugs by their street names: o.c., oxy, oxycotton and you can get them in powder form or in a syringe.
Whatever you call them, or whatever form they are in, remember one thing - they can be killers.
If you, or any of your friends, have taken prescription pain relievers, here are the
danger signs to watch for:
- Slow breathing (less than ten breaths a minute is really serious trouble)
- Small, pinpoint pupils
- Confusion
- Being tired, nodding off, or passing out
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Apathy (they don’t care about anything)
- Cold and clammy skin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Seizures
A lot of these symptoms can make people think your friend is drunk. And you may be
tempted to let them sleep it off, or tell their parents they had too much to drink.
But don’t. Your friend could go to sleep and never wake up.
Prescription pain relievers can be addictive, the longer you take
them, the more your body needs.
If you, or someone you know, is abusing or is addicted, get professional help.
You can also ask for help from parents, doctors,
relatives, teachers, or school guidance counselors. Substance abuse ruins lives. Don’t
let it happen to your friends—or you.
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