By: Ian Hest
ihest@klkntv.com
The experts say prescription drugs are the fourth most used drug amongst high school seniors after alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. After another arrest at Lincoln Northeast, many are wondering if that abuse is more widespread in Lincoln than previously thought.
It's called a drug free zone, but at Lincoln Northeast High School, they're finding it difficult to control. "I couldn't tell you that every person in this building doesn't have something on them or could potentially bring something with them. I can't tell what you have in your pockets so I think it's a matter of intent versus reality," said Lincoln Northeast Principal, Kurt Glathar.
19-year-old, Joshua Robinett, was arrested for trying to sell Hydrocodone pills to his peers. Less than three weeks ago, 18-year-old Derek Pond was arrested on similar charges making the problem seem more widespread.
So, how are these teens getting drugs?
"Most from their parents or it they still have pill that they didn't take all the way or if they have a surgery and just do it that way. But they just use the pills for non-prescription reasons," said a student at Northeast.
Students say that before of after school, even during lunch, their classmates are going behind a church located right across the street from campus and taking drugs, right under the school's nose.
Students say it's hard for the school to stop it, saying prescription drugs are an increasing problem. "I just don't think they see it happening. It happens outside, in the school, in the bathrooms. They just don't have very good surveillance of what's going on," said another student.
Hydrocodone, found in drugs like Vicodin, is prescribed as a pain killer but recreationally it's a slightly less powerful alternative to Oxycontin. Still, an overdose can lead to seizures and even death making it dangerous in the hands of teens.
Lincoln police said that in a separate incident, they found a 17-year-old at Northstar with pills in her backpack. Those were taking to lab for testing and no arrests were made.
