Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.

Abuse of prescription drugs by American adolescents is on the rise. Nearly one in five teens admitted to using medications not prescribed to them. Too often, parents don't recognize the signs their kids are abusing prescription pills, and kids underestimate the dangers. This article provides parents with essential information and advice. After encouraging readers to support a key bill, the bill became a law on October 30.

Judges' comments:  Rich detail on the growing problem of kids abusing prescription drugs, including first-hand accounts of teens hooked and the families' pain. Great lede - busts of a suburban high school dealers - draws readers in. Also, useful information on the drugs abused and their street nicknames for parents to be on the lookout for.

Read "Rx for Disaster."

See the contest questionnaire in which the reporter writes about how this story was written.