Oregon facing critical prescription drug abuse issues

By Staff Writer

According to a study done by the National Center On Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, between 1993 to 2005, teen usage of prescription drugs increased by 93 percent. In some states, the number of teens who are abusing these substances has become an issue of significant proportions.

For example, Oregon has experienced more than 1,200 prescription overdose deaths in the state in the past decade, according to Oregon Live. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the state is one of 16 in which drug-related deaths outnumber those caused by motor vehicle accidents.

In response to these figures, U.S. Attorney Dwight C. Holton, Governor Ted Kulongoski, and state Attorney General John R. Kroger hosted the Summit on Prescription Drug Abuse. At the event, leaders discussed five ways in which citizens can prevent addiction.

These include only using medications as directed, never sharing prescription drugs, locking up pills, disposing of leftover medicine properly and raising awareness of abuse.

According to DrugFree.org, nearly one in five teens - roughly equating to 4.5 million - report abusing prescription medications in order to get high.