UPDATE 2/13/13
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Kentuckians are sharing the heartaches of prescription drug abuse on a webpage aimed at combating widespread addiction to pills found in medicine cabinets.

In an online video, Ashland resident Mike Donta recounts his 24-year-old son's death due to prescription abuse.

Donta says his son Michael left behind a young son and a daughter he never got to see.

In another video, former Miss Kentucky Teen USA Jefra Bland says her father, a successful businessman, nearly lost everything due to his addiction to prescription drugs that began after back surgery.

The testimonials can be accessed by clicking on Attorney General Jack Conway's prescription drug abuse prevention webpage.

Conway says public awareness is crucial in the prescription abuse fight. In Kentucky, more people die from drug overdoses than car wrecks

The students ranged in age from 11 to 14, many who have already dealt in some way with prescription drug abuse.

"Overdose deaths have quadrupled in this area in the last four years. We're losing more young people to overdose deaths from prescription pills than we do in traffic accidents," Conway said.

Mike Donta has lived a parent’s worst nightmare

"I lost my son in July of 2010 to prescription drug abuse. He made bad choices. Choices have consequences and the choice he made to fall into the drug community was life changing to him," Donta said.

Michael Donta, a Boyd County native, was trying to fight his addiction, but the problem was stronger than he could bear.

Michael lost his life to prescription drug abuse at age 24.

"Finally, the ultimate choice happened with him to where he couldn't get away from it," Donta said.

Now Donta, has teamed up with Attorney General Conway to try and stop the problem before it starts.

"Now what we are seeing is the prescription pill problem is spreading across the state, but eastern Kentucky is where it started. Here in northeastern Kentucky area we're seeing a surge in the numbers that causes me great concern. It's one of the reasons I’m here," Conway said.

The concern gave Boyd County Middle School students information and a new place to turn for help.

"If I can save one parent from having the heartache that I've had over the last eight months, then I've done my job," Donta said.

Kentucky ranks second in the nation for teens ages 18 to 24 that recreationally use prescription drugs.

The first state is West Virginia.

April 30th Kentucky will hold a statewide prescription take back day.