Teen Athletes More Likely To Abuse Painkillers

(CBS Boston, April 6) Children and teens prescribed painkillers for sports injuries may lead to addiction and drug abuse. Star athletes from supportive families have turned into heroin addicts, like Ann Ahearn-Avitibile's son James, who was injured in a football game. Doctors say they've seen kids who just want to please their parents and coach, and take the pills to mask the pain and get back onto the field right away, but the dependence on pills can lead to a powerful addiction and worse. Part of the reason teens abuse painkillers is because their pre-frontal cortex in their brain aren't fully developed until at least 25. Experts suggest asking doctors to prescribe only five or 10 pills at a time, instead of a full prescription. READ MORE.