Real questions, real answers: leading scientists give teens the facts about drug abuse.

• Position: HEADS UP REAL NEWS ABOUT DRUGS AND YOUR BODY: A Message from Scholastic and The National on Drug Abuse (NIDA

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"All my friends try to get me to smoke crack and snort heroin with them. What should I tell them?" "Can you get addicted to drugs after one try?" "Is it okay to be a light drinker?" "Does marijuana really affect driving?"

These are just some of the questions that teens have asked on Drug Facts Chat Day, an event that allows thousands of teens to chat online with the nation's top drug and addiction experts. Held in October, Chat Day is one way the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) talks with teens about drug abuse and addiction. The event encourages teens to ask questions they might be too scared or embarrassed to ask their friends or parents.

Each Chat Day has drawn thousands of questions from teens all over the United States, making it clear that many teens want accurate information about drugs. "The anonymous nature of the Internet encourages students to ask what is truly on their minds," explains Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA. "And on Chat Day, they get scientific answers, not lectures."

Read on to find out the types of questions teens are asking about drugs--and how scientists have responded. Don't see a question you've been wanting to ask? Check out the transcript of the most recent Chat Day at www.drugabuse.gov/chat, as well as other sources listed throughout this article.

? How addictive are prescription drugs?

a: Most people use prescription drugs responsibly, according to their doctor's instructions, to control pain or treat disorders such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, when they are abused, prescription drugs can be very addictive. Prescription pain relievers such as Vicodin[R], stimulants such as Concerta[R], and depressants such as Xanax[R] can affect the brain in ways similar to that of illicit substances (depending upon the dose, and how it is taken).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

? How effective is drug treatment? Why do celebrities go back to "rehab" again and again?

a: There are different types of treatments for drug addiction. Programs that are based on scientific evidence work best. There are many reasons why people return to drug abuse after treatment. Their brains have been changed and can take a long time to recover, or they may reconnect with friends they used to take drugs with, among other factors. Staying off drugs once you've been addicted is hard, but it is possible. It usually requires major lifestyle changes, ongoing support, and sometimes repeated...