Adolescent Abuse of Prescription Drug: Xanax.

It is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means that it has a high potential for abuse.   There are at least 28 adverse reactions that can be caused by Xanax, including headache, tremors, confusion, blurred vision, memory loss and convulsions – not the ingredients for those who want to make the list of “those most likely to succeed.

The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia warned that according to survey, kids take it for the relaxing high and because it is socially acceptable and easily accessible.   The prescription drug can be found in many family medicine cabinets or three tablets can be bought on the streets for five dollars.   Some kids take eight at a time.  They mix Xanax with orange juice, alcohol or an energy drink to intensify the effects.    Those who mix it with alcohol, are putting themselves at extreme risk.  The mixture of xanax and alcohol can result in respiratory suppression and even death.

A survey at a local high school revealed that Xanax abuse is on the rise with our students.  One student interviewed reported, “Xanax is the most commonly abused drug in my school.  Kids take it all the time.  They get it out of their parents’ medicine cabinets.”  He continued with, “It’s a bigger problem in my high school than pot.”

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