Question #1

I can’t keep track of all of the drug problems that I keep hearing about on the news. I heard about that famous guy, Heath Ledger, who died of an overdose of oxycodone mixed with some other prescription meds. Oh, and Cory Monteith and Phillip Seymor Hoffman, didn’t they die from a mix of heroin, cocaine and prescription meds? So why are kids and young adults abusing prescription drugs? What’s the allure? It just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

Why are kids abusing prescription drugs?

A.
To get high. Leftover painkillers like Oxycontin and Percocet are frequently used to get high, as are other types of opioids.
B.
To help them study. Ritalin and Adderall help kids focus when they need to study. Meeting the high expectations of parents and teachers is hard, so they turn to whatever help they can find.
C.
They're easy to find. Why would kids risk dealing with a shady character to buy drugs when they're right down the hall in the bathroom medicine cabinet? Why would they want to pay for drugs when you can get them for free from a friend's house? (medicine cabinet?)
D.
Parents don't get as upset. Most parents don't freak out if they find out their kids are abusing a "safe" prescription medication. They aren't as taboo as getting caught with marijuana or anything stronger.
E.
All of the above