Tanana Chiefs Conference is encouraging parents, caregivers, and trusted adults to have conversations with children and teens about medication safety and the risks of dangerous online trends.
What families should know:
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is safe and effective when used as directed, but taking excessive amounts can cause serious and potentially life-threatening health complications.
- Health officials have reported an increase in teen overdoses involving diphenhydramine, with cases linked to harmful social media content, substance misuse, and, in some instances, intentional self-harm.
- Ask your child what they’re seeing on social media and encourage honest, judgment-free conversations.
- Remind young people that not everything shared online is safe or accurate.
- Keep medications stored securely and out of reach.
- Check in regularly about your child’s mental health and emotional well-being.
If someone has taken too much medication:
- Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.
- Call 911 if the person is difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, experiences a seizure, or has collapsed.
Mental health support is available:
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.
Open conversations, secure medication storage, and regular check-ins can help keep our youth safe and healthy.