KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasPrescription Drug Abuse on the Rise
A frightening trend in the national spotlight is also a growing problem in Las Vegas. More and more young people are abusing prescription drugs -- some with deadly consequences. The Partnership for a Drug Free America says one in five teens admits to abusing prescriptions. And local officials say the rise in prescription abuse is actually exceeding street drug abuse.
Teens may think popping pills is a safe high, but it's not. Prescription drug abusers often end up in places like the ER. It's an explosive epidemic.
They're found in the medicine cabinet, prescribed by doctors but in the wrong hands, they can be deadly.
Dr. Mel Pohl is medical director of the Las Vegas Recovery Center. "It's extremely serious," he said. The prescription drug abuse problem among young people is startling.
"One out of ten high school seniors has used Vicodin in the last month," said Dr. Pohl.
Many teens overlook the danger of these drugs.
"There's this diluted perception that they should be safe even though they're not," said Dr. Pohl.
Before you know it...
"Addiction, in general, creeps up through the rear view mirror," he said.
And the abuser ends up in a treatment facility talking about the problem, trying to get life back on track piece by piece.
"Parents need to know that this is going on. If they have a prescription, they need to lock it up. Or if they're not using it, they need to destroy it," suggests Dr. Pohl.
For others, their high becomes hazardous. Pills aren't swallowed. They're crushed and snorted. The lucky ones end up in the emergency room.
Dr. Elad Bicer works in Valley Hospital's ER. "Prescription drug abuse is no joke." It's a problem doctors know first hand.
"We have had kids who have died, kids who have needed to undergo long hospitalizations and that have suffered consequences that will last a lifetime," said Dr. Bicer.
The Las Vegas Recovery Center used to see more alcohol abuse. Now most patients' drug of choice is found in a different kind of bottle.
"These drugs are a problem, and they are a huge problem," said Dr. Pohl.
A recipe for disaster year-round, but Dr. Pohl says more addicts will check in to get clean after the holiday season. January is the facility's busiest time of the year.
This rise in prescription drug abuse isn't confined to young people. Doctors say it's across the board and spans all walks of life.
Though for teens, they seem to have a big problem with the abuse of opiate medications, particularly painkillers. Some like to mix and match. Uppers, downers, alcohol -- and doctors say that can easily be a lethal combination.
