Police are saying the over prescribing of medication is to blame for many of the recent robberies and drug overdose fatailities. They continue to say some of the most commonly prescribed drugs are vicodin and ritalin and say these are some of the most abused drugs on the streets.

They say the problem with abusing these drugs is that people don't always understand the effects they are having on the body, especially if they are mixing them with other prescription drugs or alcohol.

Over the last year and half, Sergeant Greg Bean of the Stevens Point Police Department says there have been numerous arrests for either committing prescription fraud or selling personal medications. And he says sadly enough, over the last year in Portage County there have been 12 overdose deaths.

If you are someone who takes prescription medications police are urging you to lock up all of your prescriptions and do not tell many people that you are taking them.

Police say that this has become a popular trend especially with teens. They advise parents to play an active role in their childrens lives being sure to monitor their medication intake and knowing who their friends are.