US prescription drug abuse 'growing'

by **Yanjin** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:19 pm

BBC Newsbeat wrote:Ther are worries about the number of teenagers in the US putting their lives at risk by abusing prescription drugs.

According to a survey by The Partnership for a Drug Free America, one in five teens admit experimenting with legal medication at least once.

The charity has described abuse of prescription drugs and over the counter medicine among teenagers as a "troubling trend".

Concerns are also growing that rising numbers of young people are being admitted to hospital after taking an overdose.

"They are experimenting with anything, with everything", Special Agent Gerard McAleer from the US Drug Enforcement Agency said.

"We're finding more and more experimentation with our youth in America, they are going into medicine cabinets at home and taking them from there."

Read more (Video included): http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/health/newsid_10000000/newsid_10003200/10003243.stm

This is just horrible, I feel sorry for these people, do any of you guys have an idea on how to tackle this problem in the US?

by **xtobelovedx** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:31 pm

Tbh, I don't really know what people can do.
I think prescription drugs are not something people talk about a lot.
Most speakers about drugs talk about stuff like cocaine or heroin.
So maybe if people spoke out about it and if there was people with their own personal experiences and all that.
*shrug*

by **Yanjin** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:34 pm

That's a good idea Keila, maybe people see it as more acceptable than taking Cocaine or other "harder" drugs.

by **xtobelovedx** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:42 pm

I think they do as well. Because a doctor gives it to them, or it's sold over the counter, so they might think it can't possibly be that dangerous.
But it can be just as, if not more, dangerous, depending on what it is.

by **Yanjin** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:46 pm

Yeah, especially if they accidentally overdose, in that case it can be worse than drugs.

by **xtobelovedx** Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:47 pm

Well certain drugs can be accidentally overdosed on as well.
But I think prescription drugs are easier to overdose on.

by **Yanjin** Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:21 pm

Yeah, but with Drugs they're less concentrated than prescription drugs :/
Like most Cocaine is cut with Aspirin.

by **xtobelovedx** Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:31 pm

That's true as well.
And I think it's easier to not really realize that you're overdosing and how much.

by **Samantha** Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:22 pm

Teens are really depressed. It's not really new news that kids are doing that here.

by **Yanjin** Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:29 pm

They're depressed because of stupid shit usually, either that or just call being sad as 'depression' tongue

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