Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Teens: Trends

Prescription Drugs

In 2008, 15.4 percent of 12th graders reported using a prescription drug nonmedically within the past year. This category includes amphetamines, sedatives/barbiturates, tranquilizers, and opiates other than heroin. Vicodin continues to be abused at high levels. Many of the drugs used by this group are prescription drugs or, in the case of cough medicine, are available over the counter (1).

Nearly one in five teens (4.7 million) can get prescription drugs on which to get high in one hour. More than 1/3 of teens (8.7 million) can get prescription drugs within one day. Home, parents, and other family members and friends were cited as the most common sources of prescription drugs for teens. Furthermore, youth who use other drugs are more likely to abuse prescription medications (2).

Page 16 of 20