Student Athletes and Opioids

What is prescription pain reliever misuse? As defined by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it’s “use without a prescription of one’s own or use at a higher dosage or more often than prescribed.” Prescription opioid addiction – stemming from misuse – has hit the nation hard in recent years. Unfortunately, high school student-athletes can be especially vulnerable to prescription painkiller misuse. This poster encourages teens, parents and other caregivers, and educators to know the risks around misusing pain pills.

DEA Drug Prevention Websites Bookmark

Find a few of the DEA's drug prevention websites – plus our Twitter handle – on this bookmark! 

How to Properly Dispose of Your Unused Medicines

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue. The Drug Enforcement Administration provides guidance on the right way to dispose of unused medicine.

Drugs of Abuse (2017)

Drugs of Abuse delivers clear, scientific information about drugs in a factual, straightforward way. With the information in this guide, parents and caregivers can help their children make smart choices and avoid the consequences of drug abuse. This publication covers topics including the Controlled Substances Act and introduces drug classes including narcotics, stimulants, marijuana/cannabis, inhalants, steroids, and more. Drugs of Abuse also provides information about drugs of concern and designer drugs, including synthetic opioids and  “bath salts.”

Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (2017)

DEA partnered with the U.S. Department of Education to update this publication that was last revised in 2012. This 40-page booklet offers information to help parents and other caregivers raise drug-free children. The guide includes an overview of substance use among youth; descriptions of substances young people may use; a look at risk factors that may make kids more vulnerable to trying and using drugs, and protective factors to offset those risks; suggestions for how to talk to children about drugs, regardless of their age; and tips on what to do if you suspect your child is using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

Growing up Drug-Free: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention Spanish Version (2017)

Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth and Young Adults

This publication provides an overview of the prevalence of marijuana use among young people; the physical, academic, and social consequences; tips for how to get involved to prevent marijuana use among youth and young adults; and federal resources to assist in your efforts.

Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth & Young Adults Spanish Version (2017)

Chasing the Dragon Study Guide for Educators

The DEA and FBI have worked with educators to create a study guide to supplement the documentary, "Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict." The enclosed guide is intended to help stimulate thoughtful and honest dialogue about this epidemic. Through these conversations, we hope to prevent additional students from becoming victims.

What You Should Know About Marijuana Concentrates

Marijuana Concentrates—also known as “THC Extractions” (2014) is a six panel, two-sided pamphlet that provides information on the dangers of marijuana concentrates. The pamphlet also describes the common street names, how it is abused, and the dangers of converting marijuana into marijuana concentrates using the butane extraction process.

Prescription for Disaster: How Teens Abuse Medicine - English (2018)

Increasing numbers of teens are using prescription and over-the-counter medications to get high. Many parents don’t know enough about this problem, and many teens don’t understand the dangers. This guide helps parents understand this problem and identify the medications teens are abusing.