What prescription drugs are commonly Who abuses prescription drugs? cardiovascular system failure, and fatal abused? seizures. It can also result in hostility Individuals of all ages abuse prescrip- or feelings of paranoia. Individuals who The prescription drugs that are tion drugs—data reported in the abuse prescription drugs by injecting commonly abused in the United National Household Survey on Drug them expose themselves to additional States fall into several broad Abuse indicate that an estimated 36 risks, including contracting HIV categories: opioids/narcotics/pain million U.S. residents aged 12 and older (human immunodeficiency virus), relievers, depressants, and stimu- abused prescription drugs at least once hepatitis B and C, and other blood- lants. Individuals abuse these drugs in their lifetime. The survey also revealed borne viruses. because they are an easily accessible that millions of teenagers and young and inexpensive means of altering a adults abuse prescription drugs—2.7 How are they obtained? million individuals aged 12 to 17 and 6.9 user’s mental and physical state; the Prescription drugs are obtained in effects vary depending upon the drugs million individuals aged 18 to 25 abused prescription drugs at least once. various ways. In some cases, unscru- they abuse. pulous pharmacists or other medical Prescription drug abuse among high professionals either steal the drugs or Drug Type Common school students is a particular concern. sell fraudulent prescriptions. In a Brand Names According to the University of Michigan’s process known as doctor shopping, Opioids/narcotics/ Dilaudid, Lorcet, Monitoring the Future Survey, more than abusers visit several doctors to obtain pain relievers Lortab, OxyContin, 10 percent of high school seniors in the multiple prescriptions. Individuals also Percocet, Percodan, United States abused narcotics (other call pharmacies with fraudulent pre- Tylox, Vicodin than heroin) at least once in their life- scription refills, or they alter prescrip- Depressants Librium, Valium, time. Nearly 17 percent abused amphet- tions. Prescription drugs occasionally (benzodiazepines, Xanax amines (a type of stimulant), 10 percent are stolen from pharmacies. tranquilizers, abused barbiturates, and 11 percent Young people typically obtain pre- barbiturates, sedatives) abused tranquilizers at least once. Stimulants Adderall, Concerta, scription drugs from peers, friends, or Ritalin family members. Some individuals who Whatare the risks? have legitimate prescriptions sell or give The risks associated with prescrip- away their drugs. Young people also acquire prescription drugs by stealing How are prescription drugs abused? tion drug abuse vary depending upon the drugs that are abused. Abuse of them from relatives and other individu- Prescription drugs are abused in a opioids/narcotics/pain relievers can als with legitimate prescriptions or from variety of ways. Many of the prescrip- result in life-threatening respiratory school medicine dispensaries. tion drugs that are commonly abused depression (reduced breathing). are available as tablets. Typically abus- Individuals who abuse depressants, Is abusingprescription drugs illegal? ers either consume the tablets orally or including benzodiazepines, tranquiliz- Yes, it is illegal to use prescription ers, barbiturates, and sedatives, place crush them into a powder, which they drugs without a valid prescription or themselves at risk of seizures, respira- then snort. In some instances, abusers to distribute them. The penalties tory depression, and decreased heart dissolve crushed tablets in water and associated with the abuse or illegal then inject the solution. rate. Stimulant abuse can cause high body temperature, irregular heart rate, distribution of prescription drugs vary depending upon the drug type. Street Terms for Commonly Otherproducts of interest: Abused Prescription Drugs , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants Opioids/Narcotics/ Barbiturates , Pain Relievers Barbs Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth Blue birds PrescriptionPrescription OxyContin , Drugs,Youth, and the Internet Hillbilly heroin Phennies Oxycet Reds Oxycotton Tooties Yellows Drugs Percocet Yellow jackets Percs Stimulants Vicodin Ritalin Happy pills Fast FactsFacts Kiddy cocaine Vikes Vitamin R Depressants West Coast Xanax Amphetamines Totem poles Bennies Black beauties For more information on illicit drugs Benzodiazepines Crosses check out our web site at: Candy Hearts Downers LA turnaround Sleeping pills Speed www.usdoj.gov/ndic Tranks Truck drivers National Drug Intelligence Center Uppers 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 Telephone: 814-532-4601 Checkout Fast Facts on: FAX: 814-532-4690 NDIC Washington Liaison Office + Crack cocaine , MDMA 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 McLean, VA 22102-3840 , Crystal , Methadone , Telephone: 703-556-8970 methamphetamine Methamphetamine FAX: 703-556-7807 , Drug paraphernalia , OxyContin NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , DXM , PCP , Foxy , Powdered cocaine ADNET http://ndicosa QuestionsQuestions , Fry , Psilocybin LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic , GHB and analogs , Ritalin RISS ndic.riss.net , , INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic andand , Heroin , Rohypnol , Inhalants , Salvia divinorum Call814-532-4541 AnswersAnswers Jimsonweed Steroids to request NDIC products , Ketamine , Teens and drugs National Drug Intelligence Center , Khat , Triple C a component of the , LSD , Yaba NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-013 U.S. Department of Justice , Cover photo: NDIC. Courtesy of Martella’s Pharmacy

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