The rate of teen prescription drug use in South Wood County, Wisconsin, is higher than the national average. DaNita Carlson, health educator for Wood County, wants parents and teens to better understand the dangers of teen prescription drug use, and take steps to prevent abuse.

"Prescription drugs are particularly dangerous when young people indiscriminately mix and share them, or combine them with alcohol or other drugs," Carlson said in an interview with the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune. "Prescription drug misuse in teens is particularly problematic because adolescence is the period of greatest risk not only for drug experimentation but also for developing addiction."

Carlson urged parents to educate themselves not only on what types of drugs kids are abusing, but where (and how) the young people are getting these substances.

Labels: prescription drugs, teen_drug_use