NSDUH or the National Survey on Drug Use and Health has provided these statistics regarding teens and their use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If you would like to download the report in its entirety go here.
- More teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana.
- The majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs get them easily and for free, primarily from friends and relatives.
- Teens are also abusing some over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold remedies to get high, which is especially troubling given teens’ easy access to these products.
- Many parents are not aware of teen prescription drug abuse. Teens say their parents are not discussing these dangers with them, even though research shows that parental disapproval is a powerful way to keep teens from using drugs.
- Parents are in a unique position to immediately reduce teen access to prescription drugs because they are found in the home.
- Teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a "safe" high and they are easily available.
- There has been a dramatic increase in the number of poisonings and even deaths associated with the abuse of prescription and OTC drugs.
- The prescription drugs most commonly abused by teens are painkillers, prescribed to treat pain; depressants, such as sleeping pills or anti-anxiety drugs; and stimulants, mainly prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Some teens use prescription and OTC drugs with alcohol or other drugs, which could lead to dangerous drug interactions and other serious medical consequences
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