Teen Prescription Drug abuse Increases

Studies may indicate that the overall percentage of elicit teen drug use has declined over recent years. However, the teen use and subsequent teen abuse of prescription medication has steadily increased in this age group at an alarming rate. Many teens find the pills in their parent’s medicine cabinet IE., Oxycontin, Vicodin, Zanax, Klonopin and Ambien. Others share or buy them from peers. Shockingly, some teen drug abusers even rummage through their neighbors trash to find leftover prescriptions. Furthermore, teens may not risk buying illegal drugs when they can get high on many household products, such as aerosols and other inhalants.

Based on this information, it is important to remember that what we regard as “unsafe to children” extends to teens as well. Reconsider locking up anything that you might consider dangerous to a child. When you throw away an old prescription, seal it, and grind it up in cat litter or old coffee grounds. These simple precautions may save the life of someone, namely someone you love.

Drug Addiction on the Sports Page

Did anybody Notice that yesterday's Los Angeles Times Sports section had two out five articles on it's front page with substance abuse and addiction as their subjects.
Andy Ried coach of the Philadelphia Eagles is struggling with two drug addicted sons. Famed tennis player Martina Hingis winner of five Grand Slam singles titles tested positive for cocaine at Wimbledon and is retiring as a result.
Ried's sons have been arrested for possession of Oxycontin, Heroin, Cocaine and weapons charges. There is an extensive history of addiction for these two young men one of whom has been to drug treatment. Leaving the Eagles would probably do his sons no good as they are now adults, the best thing he could do is take a tough approach and cut his sons off financially and let them experience their own consequences.
Hingis has retired from Tennis in protest and claims to be "100% innocent" and plans to fight the allegations. She is a very accompished player and it is sad that she is retiring under such a dark cloud.