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Teens are using drugs to cope with stress, experts say
By Staff Writer
 Healthcare professionals who attended a recent conference held at Arizona State University addressed the prevalence of teen substance abuse and discussed methods to combat the trend. One of the patterns that experts discussed was that teens who experience stress at home are starting to use "party drugs," such as prescription pills or ecstasy, according to an article published in the Arizona Republic. The news source reported that the attendees said they believe that the recession has caused serious financial stress for families. Therefore, children who experience monetary hardships are looking for a ways to escape the pressure through mind-altering substances. The news organization also cited recent research that has shown that parents are spending less time with their children on average. Adults are spending only a little more than four hours each day with their kids, which is only one-third of the daily amount reported three years ago, according to the article. The Office of National Drug Control Policy states that prescription pain killers are now the second most popular drug of choice for high school teens, following marijuana. Adolescents who struggle with drug abuse may benefit from attending boarding schools for troubled youth, where counsellors can help them cope with their problems in a secure environment.
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