Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - One of the biggest sources of drug abuse for teenagers might surprise you. It is prescription and over the counter abuse.

There are several reasons for this. The first is quite logical. Teens can easily find the medications in the medicine cabinet.

But the second reason is a bit more complicated. Many teenagers have been taught about the dangers of street drugs but they view medications in the house as safe and not a great risk.

A new report in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine which looked at 2500 high school students, found that the teens who abuse drugs found in their own home eventually move on to the path of abusing prescription drugs -- wherever they can find them. The report says that parents and physicians need to be aware of this pattern.

Remember the body does not care if drugs of abuse are legal or not. The problems and side effects are all the same.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor