Tiny and harmless looking, their simple nature causes some to callously regard prescription drugs as "just pills."

Perhaps it is society's repeated use of them whenever a sneeze or sniffle appears that makes it seem as though they can't be abused. People remember the familiar orange bottle their parents took down from a shelf when they were sick, the reassurance that the contents would make them better and the trust in the outstretched hand cupping the pill.

But, what some fail to remember is that their parents kept those pills on a shelf for a reason.

The use of prescription drugs can be a dangerous venture as much as any illegal street drug. In fact, in the context of not using them for a medical purpose, they are an illegal street drug with penalties that go as high as a felony charge with jail time and fines.

It is estimated that about 6.2 million Americans abuse medications, according to a 2002 Household Survey performed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A 2004 online survey conducted at MSU found that 6.6 percent of students reported using prescription pain medication not prescribed to them within the last 30 days.

One abuser, MSU student Nicholas Mainella, recently lost his life because of prescription drugs. Mainella died from an accidental mix of methadone and hydrocodone on Feb. 15. His friends warn that Mainella is just one of many who dabble in this sort of abuse because they believe it isn't a "big deal."

With Mainella's sudden death serving as a tragic example of prescription drug abuse gone wrong, the MSU community should come to the understanding that experimentation with dangerous drugs can lead to addiction and worse.

There usually isn't the typical drug dealer on the street corner to send law enforcement after, either. These drugs often come from friends and people who have viable prescriptions, which makes their abuse hard for police to track. Pain medications, for example, often are prescribed in amounts that outlast the pain suffered by their owners. The leftovers become hot commodities to sell to abusers or casually pass along to friends. And, sometimes, these are people looking for a high.

The tricky nature of the problem becomes even more twisted when you consider all the reasons people choose to take prescription drugs. Some use drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall in the same manner as caffeine; to help them focus while they study. Others who take diet pills are guilty of using socially accepted forms of what is essentially speed. These abusers are simply searching for a quick fix to improve their lives. But, as the phrase "quick fix" implies, solutions are not long lasting and not necessarily safe.

Essentially, the issue boils down to moderation - in all things. Popping Ritalin for studying can be much more dangerous than drinking too much coffee. The amount of anything you put in to your body should be sensible, or in the case of pills, not without purpose.