Experts: Teen drug use shifting

Marijuana and methamphetamine use among teenagers has declined in the past five years, but the rise in prescription drug use among teens is a growing concern.

According to a University of Michigan study, teen drug use has declined 23 percent since 2001, with reductions in the use of nearly every drug except the prescription drug OxyContin, which saw a 30 percent increase in use during the last year.

Local officials are concerned with the rising use of prescription drugs like Adderall and Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication, said Dana Branson, assistant clinical supervisor at the Family Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau.

Adderall is used to treat children with attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorders. The drug is a stimulant, and many users claim it helps them focus.

"Kids who use Adderall want it for its speed effect," Branson said. "A lot of kids who abuse Adderall will find someone at school who is ADHD and buy the pills off of them."

The Family Counseling Center has seen a decline in cocaine use among teenagers. Two years ago, treatment for cocaine abuse was prevalent at the center, which treats adolescents ages 12 to 17.

"We don't hear about cocaine much anymore. About two years ago, it seemed like every kid who came in had tried cocaine," Branson said.

Easily attainable

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Barry Hovis was a school resource officer at Central High School almost three years ago. In his final year as resource officer, he handled more prescription drug cases than illicit drugs like marijuana or methamphetamine.

"All of the drugs are still prevalent," he said. "I think we're seeing more prescription drugs at the schools because kids actually have prescriptions for them."

Hovis said prescription drugs can be easily attainable. "A lot of parents keep painkillers at home, and if those aren't watched closely, they're a little easier to get than the illegal drugs like marijuana or amphetamines," he said.

Illegal drugs declining

Lifetime marijuana use among teens dropped 18 percent from five years ago, according to the University of Michigan study. But Kelsey Bohnert, a junior at Jackson High School, said the illegal plant seems to be the drug of choice for her fellow high school students.

"I know a few people who are very dependent on drugs," she said. "Marijuana is probably the most abused drug because it's really easy to get, and students feel it's not that big of a deal."

Teen alcohol use also decreased since 2001, according the study. Branson said it's still a problem among local teens.

"We see a lot of kids come in who drink alcohol and take prescription medications," she said. "That's very dangerous because you can overdose very easily."

Bohnert, who doesn't use illegal drugs, said she's seen other teens grow dependent on drugs.

"They aren't the same person anymore. They are wasting every opportunity to make something of themselves and are being put in worse situations because of their dependency," she said.

Peer pressure to use drugs in high school isn't something Bohnert has encountered. Her fellow classmates, who she says abuse drugs, know how she feels about them.

"I don't really understand their motivation. But I still want them to know I care about them but I don't support what they do," she said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

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