You thought marijuana was an issue? High school students are now abusing prescription drugs. Teens are getting their hands on pain medicine, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers and abusing them to help them focus more, lose weight, get high and have more energy. Little do these teens know, there are drastic and in some cases deadly side-affects of these drugs, especially when they are used inappropriately.

Prescription stimulants are a type of drug that enhances activity. They are usually prescribed to treat asthma, obesity, neurological disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However many people abuse these drugs and addiction is becoming pervasive.

There are many types of prescription stimulant drugs available for the treatment of ADHD. The most prevalent are derived from amphetamine and methylphenidate. Common amphetamine medicines are Adderall, Dexedrine and Desoxyn. Ritalin and Focalin are the most widespread methylphenidate medicines prescribed to those with ADHD.

Ritalin stimulates the central nervous system, which creates a sensation that is similar to that of caffeine’s on the body. It is used to help calm overly active children and “focus” children with ADHD. However, many people, including students, have begun to abuse it because of its stimulant properties.

The misuse of pain killers has also become prevalent among teenagers because of their widespread accessibility. Common pain killers include Codeine, OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin. Overuse of these drugs, especially when it is unnecessary, can lead to addiction and symptoms of withdrawal, including restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting and cold flashes.

Tranquilizers and sedatives, normally used for anxiety and sleeping disorders, are also a common drug abused by teenagers. These drugs induce a feeling of euphoria in the short term, but, in the long term can have hazardous effects on brain activity.

Many studies show the growing amount of teens misusing prescription drugs. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription pain medicine, 1 in 5 has abused prescription stimulants and tranquilizers and 1 in 10 has abused cough medicine. According to a University of Wisconsin Study, 20 percent of college students have used Adderall or Ritalin without a prescription. A 2004 Partnership for a Drug-Free America study found that 1 in 10 teenagers had taken stimulants, such as Ritalin or Adderall without a prescription.