When I was growing up, and even in the years I was in law enforcement, drug abuse usually involved illegal street drugs like marijuana, heroin and cocaine. Methamphetamines also became a drug of choice in the years I was patrolling the small towns and back roads of northern Kansas.

But today things are different. While the illicit street drugs are still out there and widely used, prescription drugs seem to be the choice among many young people.

And, as a person who has never tried an illicit street drug and who doesn't even like to take over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol, I find it hard to understand the mindset of those who use pills for everything - pills to relax and sleep and pills to wake up and have energy.

I have, however, gained some knowledge by dealing with pill addictions in children and extended family members, and it's not easy. On the one hand, I wanted to be loving and compassionate and trusting; but, on the other, I had to be tough, intolerant and suspicious of every word or action. Why? Because I learned - though not quickly enough - that drugs mistakenly or wrongfully prescribed by a doctor are so addictive that those addicted will lie, cheat, steal and do just about anything to get more of them.

One form of drug abuse I've encountered involves Adderall (a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) and pain medications. It starts with using Adderall to make one alert and focused. College kids often use the little blue tablets (or generic forms) for test days or to stay up and write papers. But once hooked on Adderall, which is as addictive as other amphetamines, users often turn to alcohol and/or pain medications like oxycodone to help them relax and sleep. And since Adderall interferes with the digestive system and the pain meds often cause constipation, stool softeners and laxatives are used as well.

What users often don't consider is the negative side effects of these drugs - especially when taken in greater-than-prescribed doses and over longer periods of time. In addition to the addiction and all the problems associated with obtaining the medications, the drug abuse does damage to a person's body in more ways than I can here describe. Just a few medical websites reveal the drug abuse damages the central nervous system, the heart, lungs and circulatory system and the digestive system. I've observed loss of appetite, slurred speech, unusual waking and sleeping habits, depression and statements about death and suicide, just to name a few,and all these are consistent with what medical research has revealed about abuse of the drugs.

Though medical research doesn't say much about it, I can also attest to the fact that the addiction destroys family relationships and trust between parents and children and between siblings. Though those addicted don't see it, they make their entire families victims of their abuse.

Unfortunately, such prescription drugs are far too easy to obtain. Since Adderall is used to treat attention deficit disorder in children, young people go to their doctors and fake the symptoms. And pain medications are freely prescribed for almost any injury or surgical procedure - I know because I have them offered to me following skin cancer surgeries and the doctor looks at me funny when I hand him back his prescription and tell him I don't want the meds and don't need them.

This is where something needs to change. Doctors should not be able to prescribe medications like Adderall without a thorough evaluation of the patient and the patient's history through consultation with parents, spouses and other family members. I'm sorry to have to say it, but a 10- or 15-minute office consult doesn't cut it.

And when doctors are informed of a history of abuse by a family member, they should lose their license to practice medicine if they then prescribe the abused medication.

It's also sad that doctors and insurance companies cannot reveal any information to parents about medications prescribed to adult children - even when still on their parents' health insurance policies. It makes it tough on parents and family members to cut off the supply of abused medications when doctors hand out prescriptions like candy.

I've had to call doctor's offices and tell the doctor (or his nurse): "You have apparently been duped into prescribing a drug my adult child doesn't need. If I find another pill bottle with your name on it, I am reporting you to the state licensing agency and you can explain your actions to them." It worked, and I would not hesitate a moment to carry out my words.

In fact, after being patient and tolerant for as long as I was, I am entirely willing to report, not only any doctors who freely prescribe addictive drugs to those who have had addiction problems, but my own children and family members if I ever learn of a relapse into prescription drug abuse.

Why have I become so hard-hearted and intolerant? It's simple. I've tried the patient and compassionate route and have been used by the abuser. And I know, if I facilitate the abuse, I may well live to conduct the funeral services of children and family members who should be attending mine some day.

And though it would take another column to write about it, the eternal consequences for the abuser are far more serious than any of the negative side effects listed on medical or pharmaceutical websites.

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer and may be contacted by email at rmoll@nwaonline com

Opinion, Pages 4 on 02/27/2013