Prescriptions drugs act as gateway to other addictions

Approximately 29 percent of high school students say they can easily obtain illicit drugs on campus, according to Teen Help, a substance abuse resource site. Prescription medications have become the new drug of choice because they can be found easily in medicine cabinets. Substance abuse programs for youth are working to deter kids from using drugs, but many of these medications are highly addictive.

Jane and Fred, two parents who wish to remain anonymous, said their 18 year-old son's drug addiction came as a surprise to them. In fact, many of these situations shock parents who are unaware of the accessibility of prescription drugs, according to WISC-TV, a Wisconsin news source.

Fred and Jane's son had become addicted to OxyCodone, which subsequently lead him to heroin use. He has been clean for more than a year, but many parents are still in the dark about their children's recreational drug use.

"You cannot assume that your kid is so perfect and so wonderful that they're not ever going to be influenced by other people," Jane told the news source.

Local law enforcement officials have set up a drop off box for unwanted, old prescription medications. Substance abuse programs for youth can help parents work together with their children to confront drug addiction.