Raising Awareness Of "Generation Rx"

By: Matt Lombardi
Topics: Field Notes

Matt Lombardi is a producer for the CBS Evening News in New York. He co-produced Katie's series this week on "Generation Rx."

For years, Katie has been interested in tackling the topic of Kids & Prescription Drug abuse. But we weren't sure how to do it. Then in 2005, I saw a movie a friend of mine had produced called "The Chumscrubber," starring Glenn Close and Jamie Bell. Written in reaction to the Columbine High School massacre, the movie was a dark comedy / social commentary about the deep disconnect between parents and their kids, leaving teens with a void they sought prescription drugs to fill. The movie's message was life in suburbia U.S.A. is "overrated and overmedicated."

I took Katie to see the movie and afterwards, she was set on doing two things: 1) going home to grill her daughters, and 2) doing more reporting on the topic. Our research bore out the harsh reality of the problem. For example, according to the President's National Drug Control Policy:

• Next to marijuana, the most common illegal drugs teens are using to get high are prescription medications. 2.1 million teens abused prescription drugs in 2005. Nearly 1 in 10 seniors use Vicodin non-medically; nearly 1 in 20 use Oxycontin. And they're more likely than young adults to become addicted to prescription drugs.

• Too many teens see popping pills as a painless high. Almost 50% of kids believe that prescription drugs are much safer to use than illegal drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor.

• Another disturbing trend is that teens are using the Internet to "get smart" about drug use. Teens feel empowered by the Internet – not necessarily to buy drugs – but to learn about which drugs to take for a certain effect; or how much to "safely" mix without overdosing.

• Teens have easy access to prescription drugs and get them for free. They're not getting these drugs from a sinister character on a street corner. Often, teens take them from family, relatives, and friends. 57% of teens say they get prescription drugs for free from a relative or friend, or take them without asking. Data show that girls are more likely than boys to abuse prescription drugs.

Video:
Generation Rx

Many, if not all, of the drugs mentioned in our series can behave practical, helpful purposes when used under the supervision and care of a doctor.

We all read carefully the "take two a day with meals" admonishment on the label. But how many of us take as seriously the warning to "keep out of reach of children"?

Editor's note: You can watch the first installment of the series in the video link above. The series concludes on Thursday's Evening News.

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by scdlw November 30, 2007 11:13 AM EST: Matt,
I encourage you and CBS to explore what has been happening in this region 30 miles south of Boston, which has been ravaged by OC/heroin abuse unlike any other region in the Northeast. You can start by looking at what a local newspaper in Brockton, Mass., did -- please look at the "Wasted Youth" site at www.enterprisenews.com. This paper examined the death certificates for 28 communities for the last three years and found the drugs have ravaged this mostly suburban region, which experts agree is just approaching the crest of an epidemic.
A forum with national and local experts/officials was held recently (first of its kind in the nation, according to the DEA, which took part), as the region has begun to fight back -- an incredible story I''m sure CBS will be interested in.
We look forward to CBS covering this important story.
thanks!
C.; Reply to this comment