Prescription drug abuse is a dangerous path for any teenager to walk down, but there are ways to steer them from that path.

This is the message of a program aimed at teaching adults the warning signs of teenage prescription drug abuse. The program is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rockingham’s First United Methodist Church Parish Hall on Thursday. The address is 410 E. Washington St.

The speaker, a local substance abuse prevention specialist, stressed the importance of this message in Richmond County.

“I know there is a rise in the number of teens abusing over the counter and prescription drugs in our county,” said Brenda David of Alcohol and Drug Services. “I’m hoping through this workshop parents, social workers and educators will be able to effectively identify warning signs in teens early, so proper help can be sought after.”

Last year, the Daily Journal reported on a trend among teenagers in the county called “skittling,” named after the popular candy, of taking large doses of over-the-counter cold medication to produce a hallucinogenic effect.

In 2007, one in five juniors in North Carolina high schools reported taking a prescription drug such as OxyContin, Percocet or Demerol without a doctor’s prescription, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

At the meeting, David will cover four areas to raise the awareness of participants in regard to prescription drug abuse among teenagers. They are:

Awareness of what medications teens are abusing.

How to properly dispose of prescription medications.

Warning signs that teens are abusing medications.

The short- and long-term effects of abusing medications.

David said she is hoping to provide pertinent information that applies to all parents and family members of teenagers, private service providers and school, social work and mental health professionals.

“Each participant will receive a certificate of attendance, as well as a free lunch,” David said. “We will have information and display tables at the workshop.”

Anyone who is interested should register with Sandhills LME Connections by phone at 895-9553, by fax at (866) 916-1493 or by e-mail at lovelace@mha-NC.org.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.