Pubdate: Wed, 28 Dec 2016
Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Fresno Bee
Contact:  http://www.fresnobee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161
Note: Does not publish letters from outside their circulation area.

PRESCRIPTION-DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIC AMONG TEENS

It's a Friday night and you're at home, sitting on the couch watching TV.
But you're not really watching it. It's more like a background hum to fill
the quiet gap that's been filling your head ever since you got that call.

That call. It shattered your oblivious peace on the night you decided to
not go to that party with your friend. And that friend called you just
five minutes ago, frightful and high out of her mind, talking about Xanax
and how she heard how fun it was. But also how she didn't really know what
it did, or how much she was supposed to take.

But now you're in this awful, horrible position that no teenager should
ever be in, and you're scared. So you dial 911, and you pray through the
ring, hoping -- just hoping -- that you're not too late.

Prescription-drug abuse is an evolving epidemic among kids and teenagers.
Despite this popularity, it isn't talked about enough in schools. Further
education needs to be delved into before your little sister or older
brother is caught up in this abuse. I just pray anyone reading this isn't
already too late.
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