Report: More NJ students abusing prescriptions

TRENTON, N.J. - October 28, 2010 -- Parents in New Jersey might want to better safeguard their prescription drugs and alcohol.

A new report shows a 22 percent increase in prescription drug use among New Jersey's 1.38 million school students in the past year. There was also a 14 percent increase in incidents involving alcohol.

But Garden State schools appear safer.

The number of reported incidents of violence dropped 5 percent from 2007-08 to 2008-09. Weapons incidents fell 15 percent and reported cases of bullying decreased by 4 percent.

Most of the reported cases of bullying involved high school freshmen and sophomores.

Assembly Education Committee Chairman Patrick Diegnan tells The Star-Ledger of Newark more need to be done to expand prescription drug awareness and marijuana awareness.

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