Solve teen drug abuse

Arkansas has had an active participation in prescription drug abuse by adolescents. In 2007, Arkansas was ranked as the No. 1 state in the nation to have teen prescription pain reliever abuse.

This pill-popping problem is fueled by the easy access of pills, unawareness/ignorance of the risks, and its effects on school. It seems most teens that abuse claim it’s due to the easy access of drugs in their medicine cabinets at home.

There are many health risks involved in abusing including slower brain activity, accidental overdose or death. There is also the constant danger of addiction and interest in other drugs as prescription pills can easily become “gateway drugs.” This problem also spreads faster at school with encouragement from friends to pop pills.

I think the best solution would be to educate teens at school of the risks and consequences. Education can cover other solutions, like community pill dropoffs and security of medication at home, as well. Students can also be informed of “Arkansas Take Back” in class and encouraged to participate in the program. Teachers could also make parents aware of precautions to take to secure medicine at home and suggest talking to their doctors about prescribing smaller doses.

I believe education can achieve many things, including solving the problem of adolescents abusing prescribed medication. KRISHNA PATEL Little Rock