For Immediate Release
For information contact:
Toni Montier, Gaudenzia Inc.
106 W. Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
(610) 239-9600 x206

Use of Other Illicit Substances and Low Family Income Best Predictors of
Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse Among U.S. Youths

The misuse† of prescription pain relievers by U.S. youths has increased dramatically during the last decade, according to a recent analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In 2004, 11.4% of youths ages 12 to 17 reported ever misusing prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone and codeine, compared to 1.2% in 1989 (see figure below). While the magnitude of the current epidemic is unprecedented, the types of youths misusing these drugs are not. According to the authors, the prescription pain reliever misuse “is essentially a problem for traditional high-risk groups of youth” which “strongly contradicts the widely held image of a white-collar, middle-class addict often projected by the media” (p. 50). The best predictor of prescription pain reliever misuse was the use of other illicit substances. In addition, the only statistically significant demographic factor related to a higher risk of such misuse was being a member of a lower-income family. The authors conclude that “current substance abuse prevention strategies that are broadened in their focus to include prescription drugs may be as effective as the more costly creation of new strategies focused specifically on the misuse of prescription drugs” (p. 50).