From prescription drug abuse among teens to the use and abuse of corporal punishment, each week Macon&Eggs journalists Leah Fleming and Charles Richardson talk about all the issues affecting the Middle Georgia community. HOT TOPIC 1 Georgia attorney general Sam Olens wants to hear from teenagers across the state about why they choose to live a drug free lifestyle. He has launched a video contest called “We’re Not Gonna Take It” in which teens can make a 30 second video explaining the reasons behind their choice. This is in an effort to raise awareness about prescription drug abuse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that 259 million prescriptions for pain medications were written in 2012. Many of those pills wind up in the hands of teenagers. Macon&Eggs Charles Richardson, editorial page editor at the Telegraph says it’s the number one killer of teens today. “There are twice as many prescriptions written for painkillers as there are people in Georgia. It used to be “son, stay away from the bar. Now it’s son, stay away from the medicine cabinet.” The video contest is going on now through October 31, 2014. Prizes will be awarded to the winner, runner-up and people’s choice winner. Students can enter the contest at www.law.ga.gov/videocontest.

HOT TOPIC 2 What do you think of using a tree branch, commonly known as a “switch” to physically discipline a child? Turns out some corporate sponsors of the NFL don’t like it. Adrian Peterson, NFL player for the Vikings is sitting out right now as he faces an indictment of child abuse. He’s accused of beating his 4-year-old son with a switch which caused lacerations on his legs. Peterson says while he is not a perfect parent, he’s not a child abuser. Richardson says he was disciplined with a switch and lived to tell about it. “I had to go outside and get my own switch and my mother would use it and she would leave marks. Do I appreciate what she did now? Yes I do.” The idea of corporal punishment does not sit well with some though. Why? Because too many parents hit in frustration and anger. What do you think? Tweet Leah Fleming at @LeahRadio or email lfleming@gpb.org or email Charles at crichardson@macon.com.

Tags: Leah Fleming, Charles Richardson, Telegraph of Macon, Corporal Punishment, Attorney General Sam Olens