By Staff Writer

Anti-drug agencies and experts across the United States are working to educate state lawmakers about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. The abuse of prescription medications, especially prescriptions painkillers containing opioids, has become a serious public heath concern, impacting individuals from adolescence through older adulthood.

In West Virginia, personnel from Wyoming County's Family Resource Networks (FRN) are teaching state legislators about the impact of prescription drug abuse on adolescents and teenagers. According to the Fayette Tribune, the purpose of the FRN effort is to encourage lawmakers to increase access to treatment and other types of support services for young people who are struggling with addictions to prescription pills.

In Cook County, West Virginia, FNR branch officials told the news source that there is a lack of public transportation to area treatment facilities, which could discourage individuals from seeking substance abuse help. Furthermore, they noted that prescription drug abuse is on the rise within their county and is directly affecting children.

According to a 2008 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2.5 percent of individuals age 12 or older abused prescription medication in the past 30 days.