Opiate abuse is a growing problem among teens today. The most commonly abused opiate drugs are prescription painkillers, but as many as 40 percent of teens don’t perceive any major risk with trying heroin once or twice (NSUDH). According to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, the number of teens who abuse prescription drugs has nearly tripled since 1992. Teens abuse prescription drugs more than any other illicit drug except for marijuana — more than cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin combined. In fact, five out of the six most frequently abused drugs among high school seniors are prescription medications (Monitoring the Future Survey), and prescription medications are the number-one most frequently abused drugs among 12- to 13-year-olds (National Survey on Drug Use and Health). By learning what parents should know about opiate use, you can hopefully prevent your teen from abusing and becoming addicted to opiates.
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