E.+Persuasive+Research+Essay

Prescription Drug abuse among teens is a very serious problem. Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes his/her prescription medication in a manner other than prescribed. This abuse can include taking friends or relative’s prescription medicines to get high, treat pain, to help you study or lose weight. Many abusers believe that, because a doctor prescribes these drugs do not mean they are safer than street drugs. The fact is that if someone takes prescription medicines that are not directed by a doctor, he or she could face serious health problems, addiction and even death. Overall teen drug use is declining. The prescription drug abuse remains high. This mainly because teens do not see the dangers. “Says one of the top scientists. (Hall, 2)

Prescription drugs are prescribed to patients based on their medical history. This includes people’s age, weight, and allergies. Prescription drugs come with warning labels like “Take with food,” or “Avoid prolonged sunlight,” or “Federal law prohibits the transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed” (Gale, Context). Taking others medications to get high or help with pain can cause very serious health consequences. Medicines are prescribed for the name on the bottle not intended for others. It is also illegal to share prescription medicines with others.

Most teenagers believe that, because a doctor prescribes these drugs that it is ok to use, but it’s not. Addiction to prescription drugs can be very dangerous there are many health risks, they cause damage to your internal organs, and put you at risk for a variety of cancers. When using prescription drugs, you run a greater risk of getting into accidents and hurting yourself or others. Abusing prescription drugs can ultimately result in death to others or yourself.

Many teenagers report getting their prescription drugs from their home medicine cabinets. Even over the counter medicines can be abused. Once these medicines are in the medicine cabinet they become a temptation for abuse. Parents and physicians should be more aware of the dangers. The likelihood of becoming addicted is dependent on many factors your age, genes, the drug and how you take it. Prescription drug addictions can progress to street drug addiction (Gale, Context).

The prescription drug abuse remains high. This is mainly because teens do not see the dangers of it. So please see the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Prescription drugs are very serious problems especially for teenagers. So think before you abuse or misuse a drug that is prescribed for you or others.

Dale Johnson 1/19/11 Bell 1a

Works Citation

Hall, Martin T., Matthew O. Howard, and Sean Esteban McCabe. "Prescription drug misuse among antisocial youths." //Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs// Nov. 2010: 917+. //Gale Student Resources In Context//. Web. 7 Jan. 2011

"Prescription drug abuse grows; OMHS taking action." //Messenger-Inquirer// [Owensboro, KY] 5 **July 2010. //Gale Student Resources in Context//. Web. 7 Jan. 2011. **.

"Prescription drug monitoring programs increase as public awareness rises." //Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly// 21 June 2004: 1+. //Gale Student Resources In Context//. Web. 10 Jan. 2011

Straight talk on prescription drugs." //Scholastic Choices// Oct. 2010: T9+. //Gale Student Resources in Context//. Web. 7 Jan. 2011.