Ringgold Parents Take On Prescription Drug Abuse

A group of Northwest Georgia parents and teens want to create awareness about the dangers of prescription medication. This comes after a Ringgold High School student overdosed and died two weeks ago.

One parent says the problems don't start at school but start at home. And that's why she's reaching out to both students and parents at the same time.

"It could have been one of mine, it could have been one of my children and I feel so bad for the families because you don't know each one's circumstances," Becky Wilson says.

That's why Becky Wilson's starting the group 'Listen Up' to help educate both parents and teens about drug abuse. This comes after the Catoosa County Sheriff says 16 year old Tim Smith overdosed on prescription medication and died two weeks ago.

"They're acting out and doing these things because they strive for attention because we're in the generation of parenting where I don't want to be bothered by you," Wilson says.

Wilson says tonight's meeting will be the first of many. She says she wants parents to get their heads out of the sand andbecome familiar with teen websites like myspace.com.

Currently prescription drugs are the second most popular drugs for teens and Ringgold High School students we spoke with say they're not surprised.

"Getting pills from their mothers, grandmothers, prescription pills just getting pills and using them and selling them," 19 year old Tito Caso says.

"Everyone knows it's there its getting pretty bad," Casey Blevins says.

And that's why 16 year old John Aycock says he decided to come tonight's meeting.

"In order to listen up you need to speak out and not necessarily being the snitch but if your buddies in trouble don't think not telling somebody is the bad things to do, you need to get out their and tell somebody before anymore kids die," Aycock says.

"I believe we need to band together and get in a panic to help our children and our only way to help them is to start at home," Wilson says.

Wilson plans to hold the 'Listen Up' meetings once a week and hopes parents and teens will continue to show interest.

You can contact Wilson at the email gamomof5@charter.net or at (423) 355 7975.