AG Cooper visits school, talks to students about drug abuse

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — State officials say prescription drugs kill more people a year than illegal drugs, so Attorney General Roy Cooper says he’s trying to teach North Carolina youth how to change that.

Cooper met with students at Hoggard High School this afternoon to talk about the topic. Hoggard is asking students to participate in a contest to bring awareness to drug abuse among teens. They’re being asked to make short videos aimed toward their peers about not abusing these meds.

According to the state, prescription drugs are the second most abused drugs among young adults ages 12 to 17. Cooper says they want teens to talk to other teens about the problem.

“Who better to tell the story than young people?” Cooper said. “They know how to get to each other, and they can deliver the message about making sure that you avoid abuse of prescription drugs.”

Autumn Walsh, Hoggard student, says it’s important for teens to talk about drug abuse. “I don’t think it’s a great thing that’s going on and I do hope that things will come to end some time on abuse of prescription drugs,” Walsh said.