Officials urge proper disposal of prescription drugs

By Staff Writer

Millions of American teenagers are abusing prescription drugs, a trend that has caught the attention of concerned citizens across the country.

A national mass disposal day has been organized for Sept. 25, encouraging people throughout the U.S. to safely dispose of their unwanted medications. A drop-off event in California was spurred by rising trends of prescription drug use by teenagers, according to The Daily Triplicate.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates that 6.2 million children - ages 12 and older - abused prescription medication in 2008, the newspaper reported. Law enforcement officials believe that many children steal over-the-counter drugs from people who do not monitor their unwanted pills

"It's really easy for a kid to go to a neighbors house, ask to use the bathroom and then walk away with narcotics," said Tim Athey, the sheriff's commander in Del Norte, California.

According to the Lansing State Journal, the problem is worse in Michigan. A Department of Health and Human Services survey reveals that 8 percent of Michigan teens - ages 12 to 17 - have abused pain relievers, compared to the national average of 7 percent.

An official from the Michigan Department of Community Health said that proper disposal of medications can save lives.