The growing issue of self-medication among teens is serious and alarming. Emails and calls from
parents and school nurses highlight the increasing risks, especially when teens take medications
like aspirin or products containing salicylates. One mother shared her concern in an urgent
message:
“My 12-year-old took Excedrin Extra Strength last night, which contains 250 mg of aspirin per
pill for a headache. I’ve never kept aspirin at home because of Reye’s Syndrome, but my husband
had Excedrin in his truck.”
Many teens mistakenly believe that misusing prescription or over-the-counter medications is
safer than abusing illegal drugs. In fact, 41% of teens think medication abuse is less dangerous,
and most say it's easier to get prescription drugs than illegal substances.

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