Many teens all over the United States, especially in Michigan, become addicted to prescription drugs. According to many national reports pertaining to teen prescription drug abuse, Michigan ranks as one of the leading states for this type of activity. There are various reasons why teen’s select prescription meds instead of “on the street” drugs, as follows:

• Convenient

It is very easy for a teen to take some prescription drugs from a family member who is prescribed these drugs for a medical condition. From   a sibling’s ADDH meds to a parent’s pain medicine, this teen can very simply take pills in a less conspicuous manner.

• Feel they are not so dangerous

Teens usually feel that if they take prescription drugs they will be safe. If their family member takes them, then they should be okay in taking them.  However, they fail to recognize the fact that these meds were prescribed to treat a medical condition which they do not have. This makes all of the difference in the way in which these drugs work and interact in their body…

• Can hide their real purpose

Many young people think that they can hide the fact that they are taking illegal drugs, since they are in a bottle, prescribed by a physician. The only aspect that they have overlooked is that their name is not the one on the bottle!

• Do not feel that they are illegal

Most often, individuals do not think that prescribed medications are illegal if they are bought as a prescription at a drug store. Even when they buy these pills from another individual, they convince themselves that they are not really illicit drugs.

The above factors are excuses why a teenager chooses to take and/ or deal in prescription meds. The truth of the matter is that prescription drugs can be just as dangerous as other types of drugs, thus leading to addiction, as well as serious illnesses or even death.

Many individuals wonder why Michigan is a leading state in teen prescription abuse. The answer is simple; prescription meds are not kept secure enough, meaning that they get into the hands of teens wrongly. Michigan seems to have gotten the worse end of the deal. It seems that steps are being taken for the residents of Michigan to become more aware pertaining to this issue. They believe that through awareness will come positive resolutions.