Prescription Drug Use Up Among in Teens

  According to a survey by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, teenage prescription drug abuse has tripled since 1992, and the numbers continue to rise.

More and more teens are experimenting with prescription pharmaceuticals, including painkillers. In fact, a recent government survey found that nearly 10 percent of all high school seniors have abused the prescription drug Vicodin in the past year.

 “Vicodin and OxyContin are the most commonly abused painkillers” asserted former substance abuse counselor Keith Ranaldi. Ranaldi, who currently works as a substitute teacher at SKHS, previously worked at a drug rehabilitation center called the Corkery House in Wyoming, R.I. During his tenure at the Corkery House, Ranaldi counseled dozens of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 who regularly abused painkillers.

However, painkillers such as Vicodin or Oxycontin are not easy to come by. Since the pills are almost exclusively created and distributed by pharmaceutical companies, many teens must take advantage of the few legitimate ways there are to get a hold of these potent painkillers.

 “When I got my wisdom teeth out I was prescribed Vicodin” said one SKHS senior. It is not uncommon for many who have their wisdom teeth removed to be prescribed a painkiller, usually Vicodin, by their oral surgeon.

Unwittingly, this surgery has provided the opportunity for dozens of teenagers to obtain painkillers, many of whom go on to abuse the medication. Those who choose not to abuse the pharmaceuticals sell the painkillers to classmates for cash.

 “I think it’s pretty common at SK,” said one senior. “Many students are getting their wisdom teeth out and have some extra pills to sell after. It’s not hard to find a buyer here.”

“Kids who get their hands on these pills can sell them for $20 a piece sometimes,” said Ranaldi. However, the standard price for one Vicodin is far lower.

One SKHS student recalled selling painkillers in the past.

 “I have sold them because after I bought them I didn’t want them anymore,” he said. “I sold them for $2 or $3 each.”

Another student said he gave his medication away to his friends.

Often times these exchanges are made during the school day, right under the noses of administration, teachers, and fellow students.

“I have gotten them in school,” stated one student. “My friend came up to me and asked if I wanted some and I said ‘yeah,’ and he gave them to me right there. Another time I was sold two and snorted one in the middle of class.”

Aside from personal surgery, prescription drugs are often obtained through theft. “A lot of times they are stolen from a parent or a sibling who has had an operation or has a prescription,” according to Ranaldi.

While the general consensus regarding harder drugs such as methamphetamine and heroin is almost entirely negative, no such agreement is evident when it comes to prescription painkillers.

“There is less of a stigma with painkillers,” said Ranaldi. “People don’t consider them as dangerous as, say, cocaine.”

While the drugs are undeniably addictive after frequent use, painkillers are completely pure and uncut, unlike narcotics such as heroin. Drugs such as Vicodin contain a specific amount of hydrocodone (the active ingredient) in each pill, making accidental overdose rather difficult.

One SKHS senior commented, “Unless taken in extreme doses or by someone with an allergy to them, painkillers are not dangerous.” Another student highlighted the difference between street drugs and pharmaceuticals.

“Drugs like cocaine and ecstasy come from sketchy places and can be laced with other drugs, but the pills students are obtaining are coming from the doctor or the local pharmacy.”

Unfortunately, most teens abusing these drugs don’t realize that even if they take precautions not to harm themselves, prescription drug abuse is not a victimless crime. Thousands of people across the nation diagnosed with chronic pain are unable to obtain painkillers because they are turned away or labeled as drug seekers by their physicians.

As lawmakers crack down on prescription drug abuse, doctors have been forced to limit who they prescribe painkillers to and the circumstances they are allowed to prescribe them under. Many people seeking refuge from their brutal pain cannot obtain adequate treatment, and often times must suffer for months or even years before receiving sufficient relief.

Although the abuse of pharmaceuticals is at an all time high, it is not surprising why teens have found interest in these drugs.

“People use pills like Vicodin or morphine because it makes you feel good,” said an SKHS senior. “It’s fun.”

And despite the best efforts of law enforcers, doctors, pharmacies, and parents, teenagers are still able to obtain and abuse these controversial medications.