A disturbing trend has found its way to the heartland: kids raiding medicine cabinets in search of a high.

"James" knows all about prescription drug addiction and how to get the pills. He doesn't want to be identified because he's currently in rehab, but the 16-year-old paints a chilling picture about life in middle school and the drugs that are available.

"James" says, "Other kids take them from their parents. So, I mean, pretty much any kid can have them."

While this is news to many adults, Susan Schlegel, a counselor with Heartland Family Service, knows all about the trend but she says more importantly, your kids know about it too.

Schlegel says, "All young adults are usually about two years ahead of the curve."

While "James" raided his parents' medicine cabinet, other kids, according to Schlegel, are more enterprising.

She says, "I'm amazed sometimes at all the medications that are prescribed for having your wisdom teeth pulled... young people know who's having their wisdom teeth pulled and if they don't want the medications for the pain afterwards you can sell it."

James' parents have taken steps to help their son fight his addition to prescription drugs.

He says, "My parents have a safe for them and they count them every day so you know nothing can go wrong none of them go missing."

Detecting prescription drug use is difficult. There are no odors like there are with marijuana or alcohol but Schlegel says there are indicators in a child's mood and energy level.

For additional information you can call Heartland Family Service or use confidential email on their Web site.