Are Prescription Meds the New Teen Drug of Choice?

When we think of teens and drug use, our minds naturally turn to things like marijuana and ecstasy. But it turns out the most dangerous drug can be found in our own cabinets. In his documentary Out of Reach, 17-year-old Cyrus Stowe explores prescription drug use among teenagers. What he found would shock almost any parent.

"We'd go into the restroom and students, right before a test, would go into a stall, pop an Adderall, sometimes snort it, and trade [for] more hard drugs like Oxycontin, Hydrocodone, and just take them as if it was vitamin C," Stowe tells Today.com.

His findings, however, are not completely unheard of. According to a 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, kids start abusing prescription drugs as early as 12 years old and slowly increase their use with each year. When used for purposes other than prescribed, the drugs produce a high similar to marijuana. Because they are easily available, kids are more likely to turn to pills than pot.

Want to learn more about Stowe's discoveries? Read the full story on Today.com.