The New Drug War

The types of drugs that adolescents are illegally taking are changing.

The use of illicit street drugs, such as Ecstasy and cocaine, is decreasing. However, this does not mean teenagers are taking fewer drugs, they are just taking different drugs. Adolescents are now illegally taking a greater number of prescription drugs than ever before. For example, 7.2 percent of high school students have reported the nonmedical use of sedatives, a significant increase from prior years.

The use of the prescription drug Oxycontin has also increased during the past two years. Other prescription drugs that are on the increase are narcotics, amphetamines, tranquilizers and stimulants such as Ritalin. Various reasons have been promulgated for the increase use of prescription drugs and the decrease use of street drugs by teenagers.

One becomes obvious when you compare the media coverage of these two groups of drugs. There are repeated stories concerning the dangers of street drugs and reports of youngsters dying from overdoses. These reports understandably scare the youngster. Compare those reports with the many advertisements that now flood the media that espouse the virtues and minimize the side effects of a whole host of prescription medications. Adolescents, and perhaps adults too, get a false sense of security concerning these drugs. It is estimated over $4 billion is spent by the pharmaceutical industry to promote their medications. It is very possible their role models -- their parents - -- are taking the same medications. Although a prescription is necessary for these medications, because so many people are taking them they are frequently easily available and at no cost to the teenager. The medical profession also bears some responsibility. Physicians are sometimes too lax when it comes to prescribing these medications to youngsters. So, parents, it is possible that although your teenaged child is not taking street drugs, he or she may be hooked on prescription medications, the same medications you may also be taking.

I guess it just depends on the area, but I live in the middle of nowhere and in my high school (which I just graduated from) drugs were rampant and not just pills and pot. They implemented schoolwide drugtesting, so a LOT, LOT, LOOOT of the kids who just did pot and pills and alcohol to coke pills and alcohol. You'd be amazed at how many people will do coke when they can't smoke pot.

Drugs are becoming such a problem because our country treats drugs as a stigma instead of trying to educate kids and the general population about the REAL facts of drugs. Drugs are dangerous, but nothing is more dangerous than not knowing.

Its terrible the way we treat drugs and/or druggies in our country, and its so hilarious how they think that telling everyone that they're the devil is going to get kids to stop doing them.

Sorry, did I just completely rant bout something not related to the topic? I hope not, =(....this is sorta important to me because I saw a lot of my friends become cokeheads this year. It fuckin sucks.

yeah
and the death or prescription drugs is higher than that of illegal drugs i think

Yes, I can understand why teenagers are taking this type of drugs: it's easy to get, and the dosage is safer because you know what is inside a pill.

But the 'medicine mafia' mostly sells chemical depressants and uppers which are not very interesting as psychedelic drugs. It still seems very strange to me that everyone can take dangerous medicines easy and legally, and at the same time many people are in jail because they using or selling some innocent marihuana. :mad:

Man you got no idea Stupid fuckers in my school down a bottle of aspirin to get fucked up. And everyone drinks lots of them drink to get fucked up if you know what I mean. Most of them are completely prude to mary jane.

Yeah legal drugs are a)easy to get because you can go and see your doctor and b)I spose there is less judgement on these people because the drugs are legal.What a joke seriously these drugs are way worst and there given to kids to boot eg:ridilin its a joke but no point in trying to shut these bastards down because a)they have to much money and B) to well organize,its a joke and I don't know what can be done about this?I'm sure these drugs can be good for you if you geniuely need them but if your trying to get of your head its a very dangerous idea and very damaging to your body eg livers.

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Originally Posted by Gothen

I guess it just depends on the area, but I live in the middle of nowhere and in my high school (which I just graduated from) drugs were rampant and not just pills and pot. They implemented schoolwide drugtesting, so a LOT, LOT, LOOOT of the kids who just did pot and pills and alcohol to coke pills and alcohol. You'd be amazed at how many people will do coke when they can't smoke pot.

Drugs are becoming such a problem because our country treats drugs as a stigma instead of trying to educate kids and the general population about the REAL facts of drugs. Drugs are dangerous, but nothing is more dangerous than not knowing.

Its terrible the way we treat drugs and/or druggies in our country, and its so hilarious how they think that telling everyone that they're the devil is going to get kids to stop doing them.

Sorry, did I just completely rant bout something not related to the topic? I hope not, =(....this is sorta important to me because I saw a lot of my friends become cokeheads this year. It fuckin sucks.

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unfortunately alot of my friends who smoke alot of pot have gone to coke because they didnt have weed :( it sucks your right