Prescription Drug Abuse on the Rise in High Schools

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Story Published: Mar 11, 2008 at 6:10 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 1:19 PM MDT

By Nate Eaton

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Prescription drug abuse is on the rise in Eastern Idaho and your kids may be the ones affected the most.

Over the past few months, the number of Eastern Idaho high schoolers abusing prescription drugs has gone up.

Kids are getting the pills from home, from their friends, at school - anywhere they can.

Sheriff Roy Klingler, Madison Co. Sheriff: "I call it a huge problem just because it is a problem."

It's something the Madison County Sheriff's Office is dealing with more and more.

Klingler: "Something that we want to head off before it does become a huge problem."

Forget cocaine and heroin...prescription drug abuse is on the rise.

Klingler: "It's actually become a more typical drug case scene that we're seeing in law enforcement."

This warning comes as 27 year old Michael Charron is arrested for dealing prescription drugs...including two of the most common - hydrocodone and oxycontin.

Klingler: "They're selling anywhere between five and sixty dollars for one pill."

How bad is the prescription drug abuse problem? We went to Madison High School to ask students.

Rodger Hampton, Madison High School Principal: "We haven't seen it but we know it's out there."

Principal Rodger Hampton knows prescription drug abuse may be a problem at his school and parents need to be aware.

Nate Eaton, Channel 3: "Is drug abuse a problem for students here?"

Student: "Not from what I've seen but I know it can happen."

Student: "A lot of kids do it and parents don't know."

Student: "I think it may be but I don't really see it that much at our school."

So what can you do if you suspect your kid has a prescription drug problem?

Student: "Check if they do it. Actually ask them questions."

Student: "Keep a hold of their medicine for them and then just give them enough to get through the day."

Some kids told me they had friends using what they called hydros. It's a slang term they have for hydrocodone.

For more information on the drugs, visit www.fda.gov.

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