Study: More teens use prescription drugs for non-medicinal purposes

A recent report from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey shows that pharmaceutical drugs are the third leading drug used for recreational purposes, reports The Queen's Journal.

Experts say drugs like Opioid pain relievers, OxyContin, stimulants, tranquilizers and sedatives are becoming more popular with teens. Furthermore, 2 percent of teens are using Adderall and Ritalin, which are prescribed for attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), for non-medicinal purposes.

Researchers told the news source that people who abuse drugs with amphetamine risk developing symptoms of schizophrenia, especially in those individuals who are predisposed to the condition.

The survey shows that 18 percent of students reported using a prescription opioid pain reliever. Furthermore, it reveals that girls are more likely than boys to use the drugs for recreational purposes. However, programs for troubled youth can help those who are addicted to prescription medicine make healthy lifestyle choices through education and awareness of the negative aspects of drug use.

According to DrugFree.org, nearly 4.5 million teens report having abused prescription medications to get high.