NC AG kicks off prescription drug abuse PSA contest for high school students

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Your child could be abusing prescription drugs right now with pills from your own medicine cabinet.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper is trying to attack the problem through a contest challenging North Carolina students to spread the word about prescription drug abuse. Cooper stopped by Vance High School Wednesday to promote the competition for a third year in a row.

"We're seeing abuse in prescription drugs in high schools skyrocket," he said.

Statistics show one in four high school students will abuse prescription drugs before they graduate, and 70 percent of those drugs will come from their own home or from a friend.

Cooper also reminded students that sharing any kind of prescription medication is a felony, even if you don't accept money for it.

Students were inspired by Wednesday's program, especially speaker Amanda Fannasy, who reclaimed her life after nearly a decade of prescription drug abuse.

"When you're that age you feel invicible and it's very real. You make one choice and it can affect the rest of your life," she said.

When it comes to abusing, selling or sharing prescription drugs, Fannasy hopes students in North Carolina will make the choice to say no.

The PSA contest is open through April 15 and details to enter can be found here.

WSOC