WA teens sing to keep peers away from drugs

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. - A group of teens is using hip-hop music to keep their peers away from prescription drugs.

They're participating in the "New Directions" music academy. Students spend the week writing and recording songs and poetry. The recordings will be put out on a CD and used as part of a youth outreach program.

Many songs talk about staying away from prescription drugs and other pills.

According to a study just released from a University of Washington research scientist, prescription drugs are the leading cause of drug deaths in King County. The study indicates that last year, prescription drugs caused more than half of all drug overdose deaths.

John Gahagan lost his son last year to an opiate overdose. Sean Gahagan had just graduated from high school. His father says outreach programs like this could help save lives.