The Community Child Protection Team of Salisbury, North Carolina, met last week to discuss teen abuse of prescription drugs and possible steps to address the problem in the community. The chairman of the group cited a recent statistic from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America that one in five American teens has abused prescription pain medication, stimulants, and/or tranquilizers.

A Salisbury attorney, Mr. Morris, shared his observations with the group: "I see it every day in court ... and the judges and DAs see it many more times daily." Morris said he believes that almost all physicians and pharmacists are honest; however, money may still be an incentive for over-vending the drug legally (a pharmacy makes $400 on a prescription for the painkiller OxyContin). OxyContin, which is the chemical cousin of heroin, may be even more addictive and more deadly.

(Source: www.salisburypost.com)

Labels: teens, abuse, prescription_drugs

Posted By: Aspen Education Group