Teaching Your Child About The Wise Use Of Medicines

Jill was usually a very happy and energetic young girl. But today was different Jill was upset. She stomped into the house and slammed the door behind her. "Hey Mom . . . " she called out but there was no answer. "I feel awful," she muttered as she looked around the kitchen. After a moment she saw a note on the table. It was from her mother.

Jill was disappointed. She wanted her mother. She had a sore throat and felt very hot. She thought maybe she had the flu.

Jill remembered the ads she had seen on television, "for fast relief, take Ease Away". She knew her Mom had some. What harm would there be in taking one or two? ...

With the variety of medicines being promoted and used these days, this scene and others like it may be all too real in many households. In our concern over children using illegal drugs, parents can neglect to prepare children in the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) drugs.

Perhaps the best time for parents to begin sharing information about the use of medication is during the primary school years (ages 5-9), when children usually receive instruction at school on the topic.

Although some medicines do not require a prescription, all medicines can be harmful if not taken properly. It is very important for an adult to read the directions, warnings and precautions stated on medications. Precautions warn about possible reactions that may occur if the medicine is mixed with another drug. The information found on a medication can be very important to people with serious health problems. If a medicine seems to worsen symptoms, your family doctor or pharmacist should be contacted immediately.

• Consider other remedies (e.g. having a rest, taking a walk, talking to someone) before relying on a medication.
• Do not expect a prescription everytime you visit a doctor.
• Follow your doctor's precise instructions.
• Do not take additional medicines without asking your physician.
• After taking medicine, tell your doctor if any new symptoms develop.
• As you begin to feel better, ask your doctor when you should stop taking your medicine.
• Never take another person's medicine or give anyone your medicine. It can make a person sick if he/she is allergic to the medicine.
• Do not take a leftover prescription medicine without first checking with your doctor.
• Dispose of expired medicines in the toilet as opposed to garbage can. This will ensure that children will not have access to medication.
• Take precautions against overdose or underdose by taking the amount prescribed.
• Keep your medicines in their original containers.
• Be sure the label stays on the medicine container until the medicine is all used or is destroyed.
• Do not switch labels.
• Never leave your medicine where children can see or reach them.
• Children should never measure or take medicines by themselves.
• Never take medicines in the dark.
• When travelling, take your prescription with you.
• Check the expiry date on all medications.

Modern medicines have greatly helped our culture to enjoy a high level of general health. However, medicines have also contributed to a "comfort is only a pill away" kind of thinking that can be dangerous. By developing responsible attitudes towards medicines in children, parents may well foster healthy attitudes towards all drugs amongst our young people.