Addiction Knows No Boundaries
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It came as a surprise to many that a drug ring could be allegedly spearheaded by students from a prestigious private school like The Haverford School, but it should not have been so surprising. There is no doubt that many in the public like to think that the wealthy or highly educated members of society are immune from problems with drugs - both illegal and prescription, but the truth is that drug abuse does not discriminate and one of the keys to dealing with drug use in adolescents is to understand this and aggressively teach about the dangers of drug abuse.
In 2014 the problems are centered around the typical drugs of abuse like marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy but there has been a rise in heroin use because prices are lower than they have been in years and prescription drugs - those in the medicine cabinet like painkillers and cough suppressants - are also being abused.
Avoiding stereotypes and communication are two of the best steps in the battle.