Every day in the United States, an average of 2,000 teenagers use prescription drugs without a doctor's guidance for the first time.
Painkillers are one of the most commonly abused drugs by teens after tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.
Abusing prescription drugs is illegal -- and that includes sharing prescriptions with friends.
Opioids (such as OxyContin or Percocet), CNS depressants (such as Valium or Xanax), and stimulants (such as Adderall or Ritalin) are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
Taking just one large dose of an opioid (such as OxyContin or Percocet) could cause severe breathing complications or death.
If combined with any medication or substance that causes drowsiness, CNS depressants (such as Valium or Xanax) can slow both the heart and respiration, which can lead to death.
Taking high doses of a stimulant (such as Adderall or Ritalin) can cause an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and the potential for heart failure or seizures.
