Prescription Drug Abuse in Teenagers Essay

The number one way students are getting their hands on these different drugs is from the help of their peers. As for prescriptions, others steal it from their

From the article Prescription Drug Abuse: A Comparison of Prescriber and Pharmacist Perspectives, “Approximately, 20% of the U.S. population aged 12 and older has abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetimes.” This evidently shows that within prescription drug abusers, there are high schoolers who abuse the system. From the NSDUH, National Survey on Drug use and Health, 91% of teen prescription drug abuse obtain the drug from friends, family and mostly prescribers. Thus showing that prescribers and pharmacist, whether they know it or not, are involved with the distribution of the all the prescription drug abuse. By prescribing these drugs to their patients, they are responsible for watching over them and assuring that they use it for appropriate reasons,.Throughout the time the number of prescription drugs that have left pharmaceutical labs has increased over the last two decades, more than 136 million drugs for the common opioid pain killer. Due to the steady increase in the prescription drugs and the attempt to observe the problem, countries would support a system to monitor prescription

Prescription drug abuse is a problem that is not just focused on adults. There has been a substantial rise in prescription drug abuse among teenagers. Teens are abusing prescription drugs for a number of reasons, including to get high, pain treatment, and/or because they think that it will assist them with school work (Coalition against Drug Abuse, 2014). However boys and girls tend to abuse some types of prescription drugs for different reasons. For example, boys are more likely to abuse prescription stimulants to get high, where girls would abuse them to stay alert to study or for weight loss.

Teens are highly affected by drugs around the world but training has begun to stop it. Along with brain damage and lung damage. Countless teens around the world use drugs for social advantages.The United States represents 5% of the world's population and 75% of prescription drugs taken. 60% of teens who abuse prescription drugs get them free from friends and relatives. Doctors are already trained to find ways to help.If teens smoke too much it can cause them to die or overdose.

People with any kind of illness use medications to help reduce a symptom which ultimately makes life easier for them, but if prescription medications are used out of control it could lead to negative health issues. In reference to The Medicine Abuse Project, a mother shared a story of her deceased son’s battle with prescription medications addiction. When the son was asked why he took these drugs he responded with, “All you think about is feeling that way again – only it is physically and chemically impossible.” (My Son Died From Accidental Prescription Drug Overdose). When young kids do drugs, since the brain is not as developed as adults, it is more likely to create a negative effect like addiction. The son explained that the reason he did stronger drugs was so he could feel the same high he experienced his first time doing this. Since the body gets adjusted to the medications consumed,

Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic across the United States, destroying and affecting many lives of young Americans. Why do so many people abuse prescription drugs? Many think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive than “street drugs.” After all, these are drugs that moms, dads, and even kid brothers and sisters use. The dangers are not easily seen, but the future of America’s youth will soon be in severe danger if the problem is not addressed. It will continue to get worse if action is not taken soon. Prescription drugs are only safe for the individuals who actually have prescriptions for them because a doctor has examined these people and prescribed the

It is already mind blowing to comprehend that such a large number of people, including teenagers, have abused prescription drugs in their lifetime. It is even more dramatic when people come to the realization that those statistics were only conducted in one country: The United States of America. The surveys conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse only focused on national statistics for those living in the United States and not for those living in other international countries. It would be too arduous to understand the quantity of drug abusers worldwide. This just goes to show how severe of a problem that prescription drug abuse is - not only for Americans, but society in its entirety.

Non prescribed prescription drug use by adolescents is a major concern. There are many dangers associated with this abuse that teens are not aware of and many teens do not realize the effects these drugs will have on their body and mind as they continue to mature. Most teens use these drugs for recreational purposes such as a study aid to help them stay awake. These teens do not realize that these drugs are just as dangerous as illegal street drugs.

The main type of dangerous drugs you hear about are the illegal ones. However, if you abuse prescription drugs they can have major consequences as well. Most people use drugs prescribed by doctors or physicians without abusing them. The estimated amount of adults using prescription drugs as a recreational use is as high as 20%. Many of the people using prescription drugs do not understand how harmful the side effects of these drugs are. Most people abuse prescription drugs to get the better mood, adrenaline rush, or to ease mental or physical pain. Most of the abused prescription drugs are sedatives, tranquilizers, or painkillers. These are widely found and easy to obtain. Many of the addicts are either prescribed by a doctor or stolen from a friend or relative. Most of the addicts are oblivious

1). Why are so many young people abusing prescription drugs? According to Prescription Drug Abuse; From the Director (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/director, par.3) “[A] consumer culture amenable to “ taking a pill for what ails you” and the prescription of prescription drugs as less harmful than illicit drugs are [some of the] contributors to the problem.” Another contributor to abuse would be the pleasure effects prescription drugs can cause at sufficient quantities (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications, par. 7). ADHD drugs are abused by students who are seeking to improve their academic performance (https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications, par. 8). A common misconception that appeals teenagers to prescription drugs is that prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs because they are prescribed by doctors

The non-medical use of prescription drugs has been rising steadily for adolescents, particularly in the area of prescription pain relievers, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants and steroids. With a greater number of prescriptions being written, such drugs are more widely available (including parents’ prescriptions) and abusers may mistakenly believe that such drugs, because they come from a doctor, are safer to take than street drugs. The possible combination with alcohol significantly increases the risk of accidental overdose.

Even though people need their prescriptions, the abuse of them is getting out of control and we need to find a way to regulate it better,because it can destroy a family, cause some to become addicted, or even kill them. Prescription drugs are no joke, they can be worse than illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and even heroin. The only difference is a doctor can prescribe these types of drugs. The problem we run into with prescription drugs is there is not enough being done to keep the person from becoming addicted or them selling to others. In 2007 2.5 million Americans abused just painkillers (Drug free world). That is not even including the other two types. Now it is starting to affect teens, one out of every ten teenagers admit to abusing a prescribed drug(Drug-free world).

The source of prescription drugs is unclear to many doctors, counselors, and parents, but the answer is simple: high school peers are the main source. “According to the Center on Young Adult Health and Development at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, most students who misuse stimulants obtain the drugs through a friend, often for free, though they may also be purchased from a fellow student. Students who sell prescription medications—as well as anyone possessing a medication that was prescribed to someone else—can be charged with a felony.” ("Misuse of Prescription Stimulants Among College Students") Although it is highly illegal and disproved, youth and college students obtain these prescription drugs from friends or fellow

According to www.drugabuse.gov an estimated 52,000,000 people, with at least 20 percent being 12 or older, have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons at least once in their lifetimes. Some of the more commonly known drugs include Adderall, prescription painkillers and Xanax. Many prescribed patients use these drugs as directed by a professional, but many also do not. Adolescents often share or sell their medications to those not prescribed, and who have no other ways of accessing them. Constant misuse can lead to a variety of health problems, which in extreme cases even death. Besides the abuse, I do believe prescription medications can be a positive thing when used responsibly.

Enough damage will shut the body down and possibly kill you. Prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind Marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. The National Institutes of health estimates that nearly 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for non medical reasons. (topix.net) In 2000, about 43 percent of hospital emergencies admissions for drug overdoses (nearly 500,000) people happened because misused prescription drugs. (topix.net) Prescription drug abuse is increasing due to the availability of drugs. Some reasons there is an increase in prescribed drugs is because those who are prescribed to use them do not finish them or lock them up, and children take them and have easy access to online pharmacies. The younger people feel it is more safe then street drugs. Prescription drug abuse is generally the same between men and women except among 12 to 17 year olds. (topix.net) In this age group, research conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that females are more likely to use psychotherapeutic drugs for non medical purposes. (Prescription and Drug Abuse) Research has also shown that women in general are more likely to use narcotic pain relievers and tranquilizers for non medical purposes. The number of teens to young adults (ages 12 to 25) who are new abusers of prescription pain killers grew from 400,000