Prescription Drugs

In 2001, of an estimated seven million current users of illicit drugs, nearly 2.1 percent of the population aged 12 years and older were currently using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse statistics indicate the sharpest increases in prescription drug abuse occur among 12 to 17 year-olds.

Prescription drugs relieve suffering for millions of people, make complex surgery possible and enable individuals with chronic medical conditions to control their symptoms and lead productive lives. These drugs prescribed by healthcare professionals can help patients manage severe pain, restore emotional or behavioral imbalance, control sleep disorders or fight obesity. Responsible prescription use includes following the advice of a doctor or pharmacist, learning about possible side effects and understanding the potential interactions one medication may have with another.

Addiction rarely occurs when prescription drugs are used properly. The non-medical use of prescription drugs is a serious public health concern and can lead to abuse, addiction and death. The most commonly abused drugs are opiods given for pain management, depressants used to treat anxiety or sleep disorders and stimulants prescribed to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Facts