Beware of Pharma Parties

[Jonny T]

Beware of Pharma Parties

You have a teenager. They say that they are going to a friend’s house for a party. You, reminded of the drunken "keggers" you went to as a teenager, ask if there will be alcohol. They say no. You breathe a sigh of relief and give permission.

They come back, obviously intoxicated, but you don’t smell any alcohol, or marijuana. They haven’t been drinking, but something is wrong.

Welcome to the world of the Pharma Party.

Another article, from a few years ago:

Teens Host 'Pharma Parties' To Abuse OTC Drugs

Many Young People Addicted To Prescriptions Like Vicodin

CHICAGO -- A new and dangerous trend is playing out in many teens' lives around the country: Pharma parties.

When it's time to party, the kids gather around the bowl," said Tom Hedrick with Partnership For Drug Free America. "You put your hand in the bowl and you pull out some pills ... and part of the fun is not knowing exactly what you're getting. "

While I don't doubt some teens are abusing prescription drugs, the idea of oganised "pharma parties" sounds a little too reminiscent of the "rainbow parties" scare for my liking.

Am I just cynical?

ETA: article from Slate: Phar-Fetched "Pharm Parties" - Real or a media invention?

[Hacker Barbie]

A few of my high school classmates practiced "Robo-Tripping" (drinking large amount of Robutussin or similar cough syrup). I don't think the consumption was very well-organised, and there were definitely no parties. Just a few kids with nothing better to do sitting around someone's dorm room (oh, boarding school) on a weekend.

H "no phun" Barbie