Five years ago, more people were receiving treatment for heroin addiction than prescription drugs (671 and 513, respectively), according to Barbara Cimaglio, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health. By last year, the number of heroin users dropped to 617, while those abusing prescription pills increased to 1,602.
Jesse, a young man interviewed by a local television news station for a story on the trend, recalls his history with prescription with drugs:
"When I first started, it was something new ... it felt good to do it. With friends, we'd always do it together. More and more, I was looking for it on my own. It's just your body's looking for that drug to be in there - and it's not - and there's nothing you can do about it. Except get more ... and as soon as you get it, in an instant, you're better."
Jesse started using drugs as a teen. Now 25 years old and living in Burlington, Vt., he is still trying to kick a habit that he says was ruining his and his family's lives.
Jesse's story is not unusual in Vermont. One drug use stabilization and detox center in Burlington reported that about half of the people who seek help abuse prescription drugs.
Tim Moran, the program's director, commented, "In my opinion, it's probably close to epidemic. It's there."
(Source: www.necn.com)
Labels: prescription drugs, vermont, youth abuse
Posted By: Aspen Education Group