The number of young adults (18-25 year-olds) using prescription drugs non-medically grew from 2002 to 2009, while rates of cocaine and methamphetamine use among young adults declined.
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April 24, 2012 More AWARxE News »Medication Misuse
Get Informed on Medication Misuse
Teens and Medication Misuse
- “ ‘These findings suggest an alarming level of nonmedical use that could have life-threatening consequences, such as heart attack or stroke. Parents need to help break this dangerous pattern of behavior by carefully monitoring their child’s use of ADHD medication,’ said Assistant Surgeon General Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Acting Deputy Administrator.”
“ADHD Medication Misuse by Those Aged 12 to 17 Results in Higher Number of Visits to Emergency Department” from SAMHSA
Older Adults and Medication Misuse
- “Although aging affects how medications are used by our bodies, a major factor affecting how well a medication works is whether or not we take the medication as we are told to. If we don’t use medications as we are told to, they may hurt or even kill us.”
“Medication Misuse Among Older Adults” (PDF) from the Ohio Department of Aging (August 2007)
Misuse of Prescription and OTC Medications
- Today, tens of millions of people in the United States depend on prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications to sustain their health—as many as 3 billion prescriptions are written annually. Too many people, however, suffer unnecessary injuries, and some die as a result of preventable medication errors.
“Safe Use Initiative Fact Sheet” from Food and Drug Administration
Tips and Information for Consumers Using Medications
”About Your Medicine” from American Pharmacists Association
