Pubdate: Tue, 02 Jan 2007
Source: Southeast Missourian (MO)
Copyright: 2007 Southeast Missourian
Contact:  http://www.semissourian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1322
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

EXPERTS - TEEN DRUG USE SHIFTING

Marijuana and methamphetamine use among teenagers has  declined in the
past five years, but the rise in  prescription drug use among teens is
a growing concern.

According to a University of Michigan study, teen drug  use has
declined 23 percent since 2001, with reductions  in the use of nearly
every drug except the prescription  drug OxyContin, which saw a 30
percent increase in use  during the last year.

Local officials are concerned with the rising use of  prescription
drugs like Adderall and Xanax, an  anti-anxiety medication, said Dana
Branson, assistant  clinical supervisor at the Family Counseling
Center in  Cape Girardeau.

Adderall is used to treat children with  attention-deficit or
hyperactivity disorders. The drug  is a stimulant, and many users
claim it helps them  focus.

"Kids who use Adderall want it for its speed effect,"  Branson said.
"A lot of kids who abuse Adderall will  find someone at school who is
ADHD and buy the pills  off of them."

The Family Counseling Center has seen a decline in  cocaine use among
teenagers. Two years ago, treatment  for cocaine abuse was prevalent
at the center, which  treats adolescents ages 12 to 17.

"We don't hear about cocaine much anymore. About two  years ago, it
seemed like every kid who came in had  tried cocaine," Branson said.

Easily attainable

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Barry Hovis was a school  resource officer
at Central High School almost three  years ago. In his final year as
resource officer, he  handled more prescription drug cases than
illicit drugs  like marijuana or methamphetamine.

"All of the drugs are still prevalent," he said. "I  think we're
seeing more prescription drugs at the  schools because kids actually
have prescriptions for  them."

Hovis said prescription drugs can be easily attainable.  "A lot of
parents keep painkillers at home, and if  those aren't watched
closely, they're a little easier  to get than the illegal drugs like
marijuana or  amphetamines," he said.

Illegal drugs declining

Lifetime marijuana use among teens dropped 18 percent  from five years
ago, according to the University of  Michigan study. But Kelsey
Bohnert, a junior at Jackson  High School, said the illegal plant
seems to be the  drug of choice for her fellow high school students.

"I know a few people who are very dependent on drugs,"  she said.
"Marijuana is probably the most abused drug  because it's really easy
to get, and students feel it's  not that big of a deal."

Teen alcohol use also decreased since 2001, according  the study.
Branson said it's still a problem among  local teens.

"We see a lot of kids come in who drink alcohol and  take prescription
medications," she said. "That's very  dangerous because you can
overdose very easily."

Bohnert, who doesn't use illegal drugs, said she's seen  other teens
grow dependent on drugs.

"They aren't the same person anymore. They are wasting  every
opportunity to make something of themselves and  are being put in
worse situations because of their  dependency," she said.

Peer pressure to use drugs in high school isn't  something Bohnert has
encountered. Her fellow  classmates, who she says abuse drugs, know
how she  feels about them.

"I don't really understand their motivation. But I  still want them to
know I care about them but I don't  support what they do," she said.
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