Michigan State Ranked America's Highest in Teen Abuse Prescription Drugs

Filed in archive Cases , Studies on April 29, 2007

According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), studies revealed that Michigan has one of the highest rates of teen prescription drug abuse across America.

Teens turn away from street drugs and use prescription drugs instead to get high.

According to Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal Affairs at ONDCP when he spoke at a press conference:

"Teen prescription drug abuse is on the rise, and Michigan is a hot spot. Teens mistakenly feel 'safer' abusing prescription drugs. And teens are not likely getting these pills from stereotypical drug dealers, but from relatives and friends."

In lieu of these findings, experts in Detroit and the ONDCP are urging parents to take action against the alarmingly high rate of teen prescription drug abuse in Michigan by educating themselves about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and by taking some concrete steps to protect their teen:

• Keep track of quantities of prescription drugs in your own home, and the homes of relatives


• Talk to the parents of your teen's friends and ensure they have the same policy in their home


• Discard old and unused prescriptions


• Set and enforce clear rules about drug use, including prescription drug abuse, and establish consequences for breaking the rules


• Tune into and learn about your teen's online activities, use of technology, and exposure to pro-drug messages


• Be observant and look for indications that your child may be abusing prescription drugs

Prescription drugs have become the second most commonly used drug teens use to get high, behind marijuana.

[Read the full report: "Teens and Prescription Drugs: An Analysis of Recent Trends on the Emerging Drug Threat"]

Find more details from the press release.

[Photo Credit: ONDCP]