Painkiller Abuse by Kids

Kids are abusing painkillers at a rate that is 40 percent higher than in older generations. It's now the second most common illegal drug used after marijuana. Some of the drugs being used now are vicodin, valium and oxycontin.Richard Miech, a professor of sociology at the University of Colorado, Denver has been studying it, according to his research there is a 129 percent increase in emergency department visits between 2004 and 2009. There are more than 500 percent increase in the number of people seeking treatment for addiction to prescription opioids between 1997 and 2007. There is a threefold increase in accidental overdose deaths between the 1990s and 2007. There are more accidental deaths due to overdose of painkillers than there are with cocaine now.


Cites:

Johnson, James. "Painkillers Could Be Used To Ease Pain Of Social Rejection [Study]." The Inquisitr. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. http://www.inquisitr.com/197602/painkillers-could-be-used-to-ease-pain-of-social-rejection-study/.

 

"Painkiller Abuse by Kids Way Up, Study Finds - US News and World Report." Health News Articles - US News Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. <http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/10/17/painkiller-abuse-by-kids-way-up-study-finds>.