KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse in Local High Schools

Fighting Prescription Drug Abuse in Local High Schools

Clovis- Flindt Andersen, McLane high school graduate, and founder of PAIN - Prescription Abusers in Need- talked to Clovis West high school students about his journey of drug abuse as a teenager, to recovery.

He says the number one drug of choice these days among high schoolers - prescription painkillers.

"Three in five high school seniors abuse Oxycontin and Vicodin, 60% will use them by the time they're 15," said Andersen.

He spoke of his addiction to Vicodin.

"It took me down to the point where I actually had a heart attack, open heart surgery because of it... I was five minutes away from death and didn't realize it," said Andersen.

One student was so inspired by Andersen, he gave an impromptu speech about his own drug use.

"Just all that he went through, his testimony was amazing, he's been through so much, and I know I could have been there, if my parents hadn't gotten me help, I could've been dead now," said Chad Takeda.

Takeda says, he was afraid his peers wouldn't get the message.

"I don't think any of the kids took it seriously, I don't think they think it could happen to them. And I just wanted to warn them from a kids' point of view, that it could actually happen," said Takeda.

Clovis police say addiction to painkillers, especially Oxycontin, is an expensive habit.

On the street one pill costs about $40 to $50.