Prescription Drug Abuse Rising Amongst Teens

When you consider the types of people you may find in addiction treatment centers, the typical images of down and outs with dependencies on illicit substances spring to mind. A problem that tends to be reported less, however, is growing.

Prescription drug abuse is rising, particularly amongst teens. Much of the rise is being attributed to the relative ease with which such drugs are available. The problem was highlighted with the recent tragic death of 13 year old Alexander Aiken. Alexander, of Janesville, Wisconsin, USA died last week of an OxyContin overdose. His Mother told the press that her son had no existing drugs problem but tried the medication once after obtaining it from a friend. He paid for his experiment with his life.

Janesville Police Sergeant, Jim Hanford acknowledged the growing problem of prescription drug abuse, saying, “It’s very prevalent, probably at the same level as marijuana use. Pills are very readily available. They (teens) do sell and trade them amongst themselves.” It has been reported that a friend of Alexander Aiken was hospitalised just an hour after Alexander died as a result of taking the same drug.

While millions of dollars are spent annually on anti-drugs campaigns, much of this is piled into warning youngsters and educating about illicit substances. Experts warn that there is a real danger of overlooking this key issue with prescription pharmaceuticals.