SAN DIEGO – Among the teens arrested in the region, half tested postive for drugs, and many were also abusing common prescription medications – according to an annual study of drug use among teens. This study is conducted every year by The San Diego Association of Governments.

Even though the percent drug use is in alignment with previous finding in previous years, the research group headed by Sandy Keaton was surprised by how unusually common prescription drug abuse had become – being “ranked as the 3rd most commonly reported illicit drug use behind ecstasy and marijuana.“