Prescription abuse on the rise by teens

Published in Long Beach City College's Viking newspaper in 2007.

Marijuana and cocaine use is declining among teens, but prescription drug abuse is on the rise.
In a report by U.S. drug czar and Policy Director John P. Walters, prescription drugs are the second most commonly used drugs among teens.
The report, titled Teens and Prescription drugs: An Analysis of Recent Trends on the Emerging Drug Threat, also reveals that drugs such as OxyCotin and Vicodin are the most commonly abused drugs and one-third of all new abusers in 2005 were ages 12-17.
The report states that girls are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than boys. Adolescents, more than young adults, are more likely to become dependent. Also, the majority of teens using the products are getting them easily and for free.
Teens using prescription drugs to get high can suffer from addiction, strokes, seizures, comas and death, the report explained.
LBCC psychology major Jack Bazz said, "It's a pattern of most fads. If kids are abusing prescription drugs, then it's the parents fault."
LBCC Police Lt. Julie Prior said, "We are not aware of nor have there been any reports to us regarding prescription drug abuse in the campus community."
For more information, students may go to www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov and the full report released by Walters may be found at www.mediacampaign.org/teens.