Money sought to fight prescription drug abuse

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah's Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice is seeking about $2.5 million in grants to investigate prescription drug abuse and fraud.

Authorities say children are increasingly abusing prescription drugs and they need additional staff to fight the problem.

A 2005 national study by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found abuse among 12- to 17-year-olds increased by 212 percent between 1992 and 2003.

Unlike most drug officers, prescription investigators work during the day to work with the pharmacies and clinics.

If Utah wins the grant, the new prescription drug investigators would also spend time at schools and clinics educating students and teachers about prescription drug abuse.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune