New Study Reveals Teens' Risky Behaviors, Including Prescription Drug Abuse

A new government study of risky behaviors among American youth finds 20 percent of U.S. high schoolers abuse prescription drugs, such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin and Xanax.

Twenty-six percent of 12th graders admitted to taking prescription drugs without a prescription, while 15 percent of ninth graders admitted the same. Prescription drug abuse was identical for boys and girls (20 percent).

This is the first year the biennial survey, called the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, has asked questions about prescription drug abuse. Dr. David Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, told HealthDay that "educating teens about the potential harms of prescription drugs, and including discussion of prescription medications in all drug control programs, is warranted." He also said the ultimate solution is "a more dedicated societal commitment to disease prevention and health promotion, so that fewer prescription drugs are in circulation, and available for such misuse."

Check out HealthTeacher's K-12 lesson plans on alcohol and other drugs.

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