Alberta teens turning to prescription and OTC drugs hidden in home cabinets

During a safety forum in west Edmonton, Sarah Kheman of Substance Canada warned that many Alberta families keep unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines in unlocked cabinets, creating a ready supply for teens seeking a high. Government surveillance shows that nine percent of students in grades 7-12 were prescribed opioids in 2023-24, while seven percent admit using non-prescribed codeine, and one in eight misuse OTC drugs such as cold medicine.

Since 2016, 2,087 drug-poisoning deaths have been recorded among Albertans aged 0-24, including 82 linked to pharmaceutical opioids and 64 to benzodiazepines. Researchers note the adolescent brain’s vulnerability and recommend honest, judgment-free conversations, locked storage, and pharmacy take-back programs to curb the trend.