Use of Painkillers Among Teens on the Rise

The latest threat in teen drug use may be lurking in your medicine cabinet. Young people's abuse of prescription drugs has surged compared to their use of illegal drugs such as marijuana and ecstasy.¹ Tackle this issue and learn more about incorrect use of prescription drugs. Then, talk with your child about the dangers.

Millions of Persons Who First Used Pain Relievers Nonmedically in the United States, 1985 - 20024

A Growing Problem

Data from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health show that the second most popular category of drug use after marijuana is the nonmedical use of prescription drugs. The number of persons who started using pain relievers nonmedically rose between 1985 and 2002 from about 500,000 to nearly 2.5 million.² In fact, according to a 2004 study, about 1 in 5 teenagers abused a prescription painkiller to get high.³

By Prescription Only

Modern medicine provides a wide range of drugs that save lives and reduce pain. Before drugs can be used by the public, they are tested and approved for certain uses. For safety, many drugs are available only when ordered by a doctor.

Use as Directed

Medical supervision is vital-even a prescribed medicine may cause harm. Patients put themselves at risk if they take more than the prescribed dose, take medicine when they should not, or combine it with the wrong substances such as other drugs or alcohol.

Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

Just about any prescription drug can be dangerous if it is not used correctly. However, these three types are most commonly abused:⁵

• Opioid painkillers such as codeine, Oxycontin�, Vicodin�, and Demerol�.
• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat conditions such as sleep disorders, stress, and panic attacks. Common CNS depressants include Nembutal�, Valium�, and Xanax�.
• Stimulants, which may be used to treat narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression that has not responded to other treatments. Ritalin� and Dexedrine� are commonly abused stimulants.⁷

Keep an eye out for prescription drugs that young people should not be taking. Warn your kids about the harm that can result from abusing prescription drugs. Be careful though-too many details may inspire kids to experiment.

Ill Effects

Misuse or abuse of prescription drugs can cause dangerous reactions. Use of opioids or CNS depressants over a long period can lead to physical dependence and addiction. High doses of stimulants can lead to several problems: