by CBS
Published: Thu, January 24, 2008 - 11:45 am CST
Last Updated: Thu, January 24, 2008 - 11:56 am CST
While illegal drug use by teenagers is down, the nation's Drug Czar says teens abusing prescription drugs is on the rise.John Walters says they're concerned about the upswing and hope a new ad campaign can help stop the problem.
Walters says abuse of prescription drugs is now second only to marijuana… and more widely abused than cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and ecstasy combined.
He says each day, 2500 teens try prescription pain killers for the first time.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy has produced two TV ads to help teach parents about this growing concern.
Mr. Walters says teens are getting the drugs from their parents, grandparents, friends even neighbors.
He describes prescription drugs as miracles for those who take them but adds that many kids believe since the drugs are legal ones, they're safe.
Walters says "When prescription drugs are abused, they can be just as dangerous as illegal drugs."
The new ads will begin airing during the Super Bowl.
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