14-year-old overdoses on prescription drugs

Coordinator and Chairperson of PIPS Larne Carlee Letson revealed the shocking news as part of a heartfelt plea to parents to keep an eye on their children’s activities and to keep their prescription drugs under lock and key.

In addition to the 14-year-old, who was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital for medical attention, PIPS Larne also assisted two 15-year old boys and a 17-year old man over the weekend.

Carlee told the Times that prescription drugs consumption amongst local young people had increased since the closure of Dunluce Street Hydroponics store Northern Lights, with youngsters now using prescription drugs as their legal high of choice.

“The number of people we are seeing for prescription drug addiction has increased ten-fold over the past 18 months and we are now treating 23 people,” she revealed.

““We thought that once the Dunluce Street shop closed things would get better, but instead young people have switched to prescription medication such as lirica, codeine, amitriptyline, baclofen and voltarol, which have side effects like suicidal thoughts.”

Carlee says that she has been greeted by scenes of collapsed youngsters and teenagers completely unaware of where they are and who is around them.

“It’s really, really frightening in terms of their safety, I could have been anyone,” she said.

Carlee believes that some young people are stealing money from their own parents to buy drugs, while others are stealing the prescription medication itself.

She is now calling for parents to keep a close watch on their children’s behaviour.

“Changes in mood, aggression, being tired all the time, out all the time or not studying; watch for changes in their natural behaviour,” she advised.

“These kids are supposed to be our future but they are being destroyed by these drugs.

“I don’t know where they are getting them, if there are people dealing them or if the kids feel they have to take them due to peer pressure but prescription drugs can be lethal.”

Carlee says that her community organisation is doing its best to help address the rising tide of need, but needs the support of parents to beat the scourge of prescription drugs.

“We are on the front line here,” she continued.

“The 14-year-old girl was totally off her face and she and the 17-year-old were sent to hospital but they just talked to them and let them back out again with no support to offer.

“Parents are not to blame. When the young girl’s mother heard she was devastated.

“But at A&E we need a parent present.

“Parents are ringing us and criticising us, saying we aren’t doing enough, but they don’t realise that due to child protection there needs to be a parent or guardian there as we don’t have the authority to consent to treatment.

“We can refer the youngsters to Contact NI and Addition NI but we need the parents there to support the child.

“Also, if parents have prescription drugs in the house they need to be under lock and key.

“These drugs are highly addictive and they give them a buzz for a short time.”

Carlee believes that young people do not realise how dangerous prescription drugs can be.

“These drugs are as dangerous as black market drugs,” she continued.

“They are a risk to life and often the kids will take a handful of them.”

She says there needs to be more joined-up treatment for young people who attend A&E with overdoses, such as being seen immediately and getting follow-up support afterwards.

“When they get to hospital they are being seen by the crisis response teams and then when they get out they go and get more drugs,” she continued.

“When they arrive at A&E they should be seen immediately but when we took the 17-year-old to Antrim Area Hospital he was waiting so he just walked out and didn’t even get help.”

In order to protect both the PIPS workers and to ensure the youngsters get the support they need, Carlee says that her organisation will contact the PSNI in future cases of prescription drugs overdose in minors.

She is also calling for stricter controls on codeine and voltarol-based prescription medication and on the sale of over-the-counter pills containing codeine and paracetamol.

“Parents could be totally oblivious, with a cupboard of medication and the kids are taking things and they don’t realise it,” said Carlee.

“We can’t wave a magic wand, if we go out to support someone we need the parents’ support and the parents need to be aware that they can ring the PSNI as the police and GPs have powers we don’t.

“We have not had overdoses lead to death as yet but it could happen.”

PSNI spokesman Seargeant Brian Caskey commented: “The supply of prescription drugs is covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act.

“Generally, it is illegal to be in possession of a prescription drug if you have not been prescribed that medication by a medical professional. It is also illegal to supply or sell prescription medication without a licence.

“It is dangerous to take medication that has not been prescribed for you. We have solid local links with community groups like PIPS and it is important that we work in partnership to hammer home these drug misuse messages.

“Police are working hard to enforce the drugs laws with regard to illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.

“We will take a serious interest in dealers that are running side lines in prescription medication. But, it is important that we work together with other statutory agencies, schools and voluntary groups to raise awareness of the misuse of prescription medication,” he concluded.

PIPS Larne operates counselling services in conjunction with Addiction NI and Contact NI.

The organisation is looking for more volunteers to be trained up in interventions with drugs and suicide prevention.

For more information and advice, phone PIPS Larne on 07530 797716 on Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Alternatively, ring their 24-hour suicide prevention line on 08088088000.