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More kids abusing prescription drugs

By Staff Writer

Nearly 38 percent of high school students say that illicit drugs are readily available for them on campus, according to Teen Help, an addiction resource site. Substance abuse programs for youth are working to steer kids away from drug use, but many can get their hands on them easily.

Prescription drug abuse has notably grown among teens, according to KPBS. Experts say that deaths linked back to prescription drug usage increased by 85 percent over the past 10 years. Although heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., substance abuse is not far behind. More kids are using drugs from their medicine cabinets for recreational purposes.

"Alcohol and medication-related deaths have actually surpassed motor vehicle fatalities, and have become the number one cause of non-natural deaths in the county," San Diego county medical examiner Jonathan Lucas told the news source.

Oxycontin, Vicodin, fentanyl and morphine are some of the biggest names on the list of commonly abused substances. These drugs are highly addictive and may result in death when taken in high doses. Rehabilitation facilities can help addicts wean themselves off of these drugs over time.