According to a recent National Survey of Drug Use and Health, once tighter restrictions and increased prices were put in place, prescription painkiller abuse declined, particularly among young adults 18 to 25. But, at the same time, the number of heroin abusers rose significantly.
Heroin is much cheaper and more readily available. So, out of desperation, people turn to the drug to get their fix of "feel good" chemicals.
To further the problem, many kids are commonly stealing prescription pills from their parents and using them recreationally.
In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 20 percent of U.S. high school students had taken a prescription drug such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin, or Xanax without a doctor's prescription.
That is 1 out of 5 teenagers.
Michelle King Robson's daughter is a recovering addict and has had a long road and journey to where she is now sober and healthy. Michelle shares her daughter's experience with addiction and Dr. Pam Peeke joins her to discuss what exactly are the gateway drugs to heroin.