Prescription Drugs: Teens Rely On Friends and Family to Get High

While drug use such as cocaine and heroin in teens has declined over the years, one category of drugs of abuse is being used more and more by teens: prescription drugs.

“We have seen an increase of prescription drug abuse over the years,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. “Teens in particular are prone to prescription drug abuse and drug addiction.

“While this is surprising, what is most surprising is where these same teens obtain their drugs: most teens get these drugs not from drug dealers, but from friends and family.”

According to data from the national Monitoring the Future Survey, friends and family are the most common source of prescription amphetamines and narcotics used by high school seniors without a doctor’s orders.

More than one-half of 12th graders who used these prescription drugs non-medically in the past year reported getting them for free and more than one-third reported buying them from a friend or relative. While “clearly the informal network of relatives and friends play a major role in the distribution of these prescription drugs to young users,” high school seniors also report getting prescription drugs from other sources, such as from drug dealers or buying them on the internet. Of particular interest is that 40% of 12th graders who had used their prescription narcotics non-medically reported obtaining the drugs from a prescription they already had (see figure below), compared to only 15% of those using prescription amphetamines non-medically.

“Many people do not know that these prescription drugs can be very addictive,” reports Ms. Rieser. “Make sure that all prescriptions are locked up and accounted for, all doctors orders followed to the letter, and any un-used pills disposed of properly.

“Don’t allow someone you love become a drug addict and need drug rehab.”

*Source: CESAR, University of Maryland

Call Atlanta Recovery Center at 1-877-413-3073.
      
Copyright © 2008 Narconon of Georgia Inc. (www.atlantarecoverycenter.com) All rights reserved. Narconon and the Narconon Logo are trademarks and service marks owned by the Association for Better living and Education International and are used with its permission. Narconon of Georgia is a non-profit 501© public benefit corporation.