Data from the 2001 National Househo...

Data from the 2001 National Household measure and estimate on Drug Abuse reveal a rapid increase in prescription medication abuse among young adults and teenagers, according to a Jan 16 2003 of the present days release from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Among 12- to 17-year-olds, 79% reported using prescription medications nonmedically within the past year, including

* 64% who used pain relievers,

* 22% who used stimulants, and

* 17% who used tranquilizers. Of the 121% of 18- to 25-year-olds who reported using prescription medications nonmedically,

* 96% used pain relievers,

* 34% used stimulants, and

* 42% used tranquilizers.

As a come of survey findings, SAMHSA and the US fodder and Drug Administration have launched a public education campaign that targets 14- to 25year-olds. The campaign will focus onward the dangers of abusing prescription medications, including addiction, and the potential for life-threatening problems

Prescription remedy Abuse Rising Rapidly: FDA and SAMHSA Join to Educate Public forward the Dangers (news release, Washington, DC: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Jan 16 2003) http://www.samhsa.gov/news/newsreleases/030116nr_rx.htm (accessed 21 Jan 2003)

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