A 14-year-old high-performing student from China's coastal provinces, identified only as Xiaomei, has revealed her two-year struggle with prescription drug addiction. She initially overdosed on cough medication to impress an older boy and later turned to various medications purchased online, including painkillers and epileptic seizure drugs. The drugs were not prescribed to her or her family and were taken in large quantities to escape the pressure of exams, familial disputes, and academic failures. Xiaomei's story is echoed by dozens of other Chinese teenagers who are reportedly chasing a 'pharmaceutical high' as a means of escaping the intense pressure they face. The easy accessibility and low cost of prescription drugs in China, which produces the majority of the world's pharmaceutical ingredients, have been identified as significant contributing factors. Despite government crackdowns on certain drugs, young people continue to find alternatives online, sometimes using coded language to avoid detection. Official data suggests a decline in newly identified drug users under 35, but there is growing concern about the misuse of prescription drugs, particularly among minors. Parental expectations and the legacy of China's one-child policy are also believed to contribute to the pressure faced by Chinese youth.