Prescription Drug Abuse Continues to Grow

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From Buddy T,

Prescription Drug Abuse Continues to Grow
Non-medical use of prescription drugs is now second only to marijuana as the most prevalent drug problem in the United States and the problem is growing, with more people reporting first-time misuse of prescription drugs than those who reported first-time use of marijuana between 2002 and 2004.

But it's not Internet sales of prescription drugs that is driving the increase. A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that most young people get the prescription drugs they abuse from friends of family members -- many times the family medicine cabinet.

The report, Misuse of Prescription Drugs: Data from the 2002, 2003 and 2004 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, indicated that it was the 18 to 25 age group that reported the highest rate of prescription drug misuse, followed by the 12 to 17 age group.

"While marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug, the misuse of prescription drugs is clearly a growing national concern that requires action from multiple segments of our society," said Eric Broderick, SAMHSA Acting Deputy Administrator in a news release. "We know that 70 to 80 percent of those 12 years or older said they got their drugs from a friend or relative and, very likely, those came from the family medicine cabinet."

Dispose of Unused Drugs

"Only 4.3 percent got the pain relievers from a drug dealer or other stranger and only 0.8 percent reported buying the drug on the Internet. Parents and other caregivers should store their prescription drugs carefully and dispose of any unused drugs before they can fall into the wrong hands," said Broderick.

Among persons aged 12 or older, non-medical use of pain relievers in the hydrocodone category increased from 5.9 percent in 2002 to 7.4 percent in 2004. Use of medications in the oxycodone category increased from 4.3 percent to 5.0 percent.

For misuse of pain relievers, stimulants and methamphetamine, males overall had a higher rate of usage in all age groups, but in the 12 to 17 age group females had higher rates of abuse for prescription psychotherapeutic drugs.

Teen Girls Abusing Drugs

According to the report concerning the use of these drugs:

* Psychotherapeutic drugs - 9.9 percent females, 8.2 percent males
* Pain relievers - 8.1 percent females, 7.0 percent males
* Tranquilizers - 2.6 percent females, 1.9 percent males
* Stimulants - 2.6 percent females, 1.9 percent males
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