"There is a relatively low perception of risk," Mr. Clarkin says. "Some of those attitudes that kids have are shared by their parents.... There is a cultural climate – the 'pill for any ill' mentality is contributing to this."
Then again, no solid evidence has yet emerged that Jackson was overusing or mixing meds. A spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner's office said that Jackson, who has admitted to be being addicted to pain medication in the past, was taking "some prescription medication." But he said that more tests would be required to determine if they contributed to his death.
Police have been attempting to track down doctors who may have treated Jackson or prescribed him medication over the past several years, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. Initially, Conrad Murray, a cardiologist who was by Jackson's side before he was taken to the hospital, found himself in media spotlight.
Mr. Murray's lawyer told the Associated Press that his client did not prescribe painkillers such as Demerol or OxyContin to the pop star.
Drug-prevention experts say that the question over prescription drugs in the Jackson case should be a moment to reexamine the potential effects of abusing painkillers. "This is a teachable moment for parents," says Clarkin, "to communicate with their kids about abusing this stuff."
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