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Teen prescription drug overdoses on the rise

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    CDC's report reveals startling new numbers

  • Duration 2:40
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Today alone statistics indicate forty Americans will pop prescription painkillers and die as a result.

Many of those overdose victims are teenagers.

That's according to a new government report shows just how serious our -- -- problem really is.

Trace Gallagher is live in Los Angeles this afternoon and Trace.

This is happening younger and younger kids and it's growing.

Yet and that's the scariest part -- is -- the federal government says -- kids were twelve years and older one out of three who actually tried drugs.

Are trying prescription pain medication.

And that pain medication is actually leading to things like cocaine and heroin use even more painkillers.

Back in 2000 consider this there were 35119.

Or fifteen to nineteen year old that died from accidental poisoning.

Mostly prescription drugs but.

In 2009.

The number more than doubled to 715.

And experts believe it will continue to rise unless we act -- I think we've created -- kind.

Monster that we didn't understand I think many kids.

Are saying okay these drugs or prescription they must be safe my mom takes -- my dad takes them.

My brother my older brother takes them how bad can they be they get him from doctors.

And -- membership were only focusing on those kids who actually take pain medication and -- there are tens of thousands of others.

Who actually get medical treatment because of taking too many.

Painkillers Jeff and in so many cases and excuse me they're not getting these pills off the streets at all -- race.

-- they're getting at home right they're getting in the friends out and here's the reason why I mean you look at these -- look at the explosion.

In the number of pain -- issued over the past ten years in 2000.

Pharmacies filled -- 174.

Million prescriptions for painkillers.

By 2009.

The number had gone up almost 50% to 257.

Million.

And 75%.

Of those who abused painkillers do not have prescriptions let's.

It is absolutely the case that your dealer is more often than not your parents or your parents friends.

These kids are swiping the drugs stealing stuff.

People don't notice or maybe they do but -- kind of forget about it it's not treated as -- -- public health crisis to huge crisis.

And we should note that perk is -- like a day -- and -- role.

Are the painkillers of choice -- Trace Gallagher live -- -- thanks.

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