Adololescent prescription drug abuse on the rise
The rate of prescription drug abuse among adolescents has increased dramatically over the past decade. "According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health, teens abuse prescription medications more than all other illegal drugs combined, excluding marijuana" (Abuse Of Prescription Meds Among Teens Greater Than Most Illegal Drugs). An article from the Casa Palmera agrees stating, "according to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the number of Americans who illegally abuse prescription drugs now exceeds the number of Americans who abuse cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin combined"(What Parents Should Know About Prescription Drug Use Why Casa Treatments Location Admissions). The Casa Palmera article also states that, "the Columbia University study also found that the number of teens who abuse prescription drugs has tripled since 1992"(What Parents Should Know About Prescription Drug Use Why Casa Treatments Location Admissions). Adults may believe adolescents will not do these drugs and will stay away from them because they don’t know where to find them. The reality of this issue is that teens everywhere are either getting the drugs from a family member, without the person’s knowledge, or they are obtaining them from a friend or acquaintance. The abuse of prescription drugs are on the rise every day, mainly because teenagers believe these drugs are safer and less addictive than street drugs. The reason why is because these drugs are moms, dads, and even younger siblings, and these teens believe they are safe to use because their family members are also using them. With these elements combined the abuse of prescription medications will rise and continue to rise because adolescents are not informed and do not know the dangers involved with these drugs. The use of prescription drugs is on the rise and something must be done to stop it.