You’ve just received an opioid prescription for your teenager. On the one hand, you may think, “If my doctor prescribed this, it must be safe.” There are obviously times when such medications are needed, helpful and should be taken. On the other hand, you may be worried about just how risky it is for your child to take opioids.

The bottom line is that it's okay to ask questions of your doctor. In fact, we encourage it! That’s how you can become fully aware of the risks of these medications and minimize the chances that your child will misuse them. Here are some questions to consider: