'Significant' Increase In Prescription Drug Abuse By Ridgewood Students: School Officials

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — The "significant increase" of prescription drug abuse by village students was addressed in a letter to parents Monday.

Superintendent Daniel Fishbein and the district's high school and middle school principals wrote the letter.

Alcohol abuse and binge drinking top the list of substance abuse problems, the letter states, prescription drugs are also being abused, especially Xanax.

Officials became aware of the abuse by being notified of "under the influence" behavior and by students self-reporting the abuse to officials.

Students often take two kinds of prescription drugs:

• Stimulants, which include Adderall and Ritalin, which students use to "get in the zone" to stay awake or party.
• Pain relievers, including OxyContin, and sedatives, which are used recreationally to get high or to help them cope with stress or family problems, officials said.

"When confronted with the issue of substance abuse, many parents are quick to say "not my child," the letter stated. "We need, however, to accept the reality that our children may be engaging in substance abuse."

Students may take prescription drugs to feel like they are fitting in and may not realize they are doing anything wrong when they take Adderall to cram for an exam. They are also more likely to binge drink or take marijuana or other drugs, including heroin, once they start using prescription drugs, the letter stated.

"Regardless of the reasons, studies consistently show that teens think prescription medications are a safer alternative to illicit street drugs like cocaine or heroin," officials said. "Taking any medication without a prescription or medical oversight... is a risk to a student's health."

Dr. Tim Silversti, a licensed psychologist and social studies professor, will present "The New Social Norms at Ridgewood High School" and officials will discuss drug abuse by students. The meeting is Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center at Ridgewood High School. It is open to the parents of high school and eighth grade students.

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