Fact: Abusing stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall can cause irregular heart beat, raise the body’s temperature to dangerously high levels, and in some cases cause heart attacks or seizures.
Fact: Misusing anabolic steroids can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke and may cause liver cancer.
Fact: People who abuse sedatives such as Xanax, Valium or Librium over a long period of time may suffer withdrawal or seizures when they stop.

Hoping to build muscle mass, lose weight, enhance studying or get high, an alarming number of young people are abusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs without full knowledge of the potential consequences. This pamphlet offers a straightforward overview of the many hazards associated with the most commonly abused Rx and OTC drugs and challenges the misperception that using these drugs to get high is a safe alternative to illegal drugs. A great discussion piece for drug education programs targeting adolescents and teens, this Spanish language adaptation of our pamphlet "The Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse" tackles one of the most widespread substance abuse issues and delivers a powerful prevention message.