Prescription for Danger: A Report on the Troubling Trend of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Among the Nation’s Teens, Office of National Drug Control Policy, January 2008

This report was released as part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, to highlight the developing threat of youth prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. 

•    More teens abuse prescription drugs more than any other 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 cough and cold remedies to get high.

•    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.

•    Teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a “safe” high and are easily available.

•    There has been a dramatic increase in the number of poisonings and even deaths associated with the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter 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.

•    Some teens use prescription and over-the-counter drugs with alcohol and other drugs, which could lead to dangerous interaction and other serious medical consequences.

The full report and other information on the National Campaign to Prevent Prescription and Over-The-Counter Drug Abuse by Teens can be found at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press08/012408.html.