20% of U.S. High Schoolers Abuse Prescription Drugs

Reader Comments
Back to article

This post is from a 4th year Pharm. D. candidate , so think whatever you may of it. Tom of MN comments were very insightful as this article simplistically quantifies the abstract notion of "abuse". Meanwhile, I am absolutely dumbfounded by the comments of Dr. Katz. Obviously, not prescribing medications to people who ultimately abuse or divert them is central to the solution. However, the statement "But perhaps the ultimate solution to this problem is a more dedicated societal commitment to disease prevention and health promotion, so that fewer prescription drugs are in circulation, and available for such misuse." is totally naive to the level of efficacy evidence these agents have in many chronic life altering conditions. It is in complete disregard to all of the patients who have chronic pain that is poorly treated (DHHS report). The notion that "fewer prescription drugs in circulation" should be a key part of the solution as opposed to 1 highly dependent on better parenting and individual self accountability of adolescents is highly reflective of thought processes that are detrimental to this country and the health of individual patients who may not have the means to afford the best medical care and our stuck with one narrow minded healthcare provider. Yes it is appalling when I see physicians write 4 or 5 controlled substances to 1 patient when it is clearly harmful and deleterious to society , but it is equally disgusting when I hear physicians say "I will never prescribe control substances". They must believe they are so talented in their practice or their patients must deviate in some way from the those in the clinical trials whose findings are indicative of evidence based medicine. The case of ADHD drugs in the context of abuse and race/ethnicity and social class is intriguing and many do not comprehend the true implications of the data. It is well documented that legitimate prescribing and unsurprisingly abuse (as defined in this article) of these drugs is higher in wealthy suburban areas & Ivy League or similar universities, whereas the incidence in poor urban areas & small name less highly ranked universities is lower. This has remained constant for atleast 20 years, & so have a lot of other things. Wealthy families are able to send kids to better schools while the inner cities are plagued with horrible standardized test scores, high droput rates, and ultimately incarceration rates : all symptoms of untreated ADHD. In the Detroit area, new supposedly (admittedly mostly on theory or case reports & not head to head trials) improved brand name ADHD drugs (ex. Focalin, Concerta, Vyvanse) are prescribed more widely in numerous affluent suburbs while formularies in many of the inner cities clinics don't allow any public funding of such drugs and go even further in not allowing MDs to write RXs even if the patient is enrolled in a drug company's Patient Assistance Program. Hmm,.. but ELI LILY made non-stimulant ADHD drug Strattera , ok?

Tony of MI 7:11PM June 03, 2010

The article assumes that taking a prescription drug without a prescription is always "drug abuse." Students know that buying Adderal on the street to study for final exams every semester is easier, cheaper, and just as safe as getting a doctor to write me a script for it. It's not like docs don't hand those scripts to anyone who asks anyway.

Brendan of MI 7:04PM June 03, 2010

Too true. I'm a guidance counselor at our local H.S. Many, and I do mean too many of our students/children are coming to school and/or missing school because of apparent drug use. And yes, we act as if it is not "us", it's "them". I know what you mean, as I've recently come to the reality that my teenage son was heavily using drugs. Divorced, my ex and I sent him to a summer military camp which did wonders. However, when he returned to school the next semester, it started all over again. Exhausted at this point because many nights I worry about whether he will make it home from "wherever he is". Once a straight "A" student, now barely passing. One day, I broke down and cried after walking in on one of his "cutting school-house parties". About 20+ kids were in my house getting high - it broke my heart. I had to send him to his dad. As I was crying and trying to reason with my son, he promised that he would straighten up - and he did. Guess he saw how devastated I was - yet very, very serious with moving him out of the house. Never know what's the turning point. So far, so good.

Candace Berkeley of NJ 6:47PM June 03, 2010

Many people do care. I think it's our culture. It's like having this little family secret - skeletons in the closet. Many of us know for a fact that many of our children have drug addiction issues, but we quietly sweep it in our closets as we seek professional help where no-one knows. We act as if it is a shame to admit to having these issues among "us". I've written to CNN and other major news facilities asking them to do a serious/detailed report/documentary on drugs among WHITE suburban teens/young adults for this is of EPIDEMIC proportion and can no longer be ignored and seen as an urban problem. This prescription drug issue is reaching deep within our communities and severely effecting our families. Can't tell you how many emergency calls we get from our local police station and, the schools to pick up our children because of intoxication, inapproprite, irate behavior etc, apparently because of drug use. I just would like to talk to someone that is not hiding behind the cathedral ceilings and granite countertops.

ChristiaM of OR 6:34PM June 03, 2010

Paul -
I care. As an recovering alcoholic and a member of AA, I can say I went down the path and thanks to the grace of G*d, I'm recovering.
If you want to be with those who care, get to an NA or AA meeting.
We are.

Peter of CA 6:01PM June 03, 2010

As somebody whose life was destroyed by alcohol and prescription drugs, I can't caution enough to the importance of getting help for these kids. It may seem like no big deal right now, but starting out your life on that path leads to a terrible end. I used them here and there as a young man, and then used them more and more heavily until I was completely out of control and out of touch with reality. I lost everything i cared about.
I know none of you probably care about me or my ordeal, but I am just speaking out in my tiny little voice that this is a very real danger in the hopes that a parent will read this and take action..
be well

Paul Adams of TX 5:30PM June 03, 2010

I was initially rather confused by the apparent incongruity between the headline and the first sentence.
Then it occurred to me that the authors are merely using a terrible definition of "abuse," one that includes a single instance of non-prescribed prescription drug use.
That sort of language needlessly exaggerates the effects of a single instance of use and, even worse, takes the emphasis away from those who are truly abusing drugs and need help.
No wonder the youth don't trust anything they're told about drugs. It's all fearmongering and propaganda. (Well, if our national drug _policies_ make no sense, I guess we can expect no better of our drug education.)

Tom of MN 5:12PM June 03, 2010

Who cares about this. Don't you think that giving so many kids ADD and ADHD drugs leads to a lot of this issue? So many kids are given medication that drastically alters their personalities when really what most of these kids needs is a BETTER PARENT. Stop giving out so many drugs and then they wont be abused...
Not to mention I wonder what's the percentage of college age and up who would fit this same survey. I bet its WAY higher. Almost everybody I knew in college had at least tried some form of persciption drugs. Adderall in its various disguises, Oxy and other pain killers. STOP MAKING THESE DRUGS SO IMPORTANT IN SOCIETY AND PEOPLE WONT ABUSE THEM...
Actually I shouldn't really say that cause if I could get my hands on some Oxy right now I would definitely take it. Drugs can be very fun. Just be smart about them. The same kids who need better parents are the ones that shouldn't be taking these drugs. Drugs drugs drugs

Dave of NY 4:58PM June 03, 2010

Here's a thought...maybe the reason the kids are "abusing" the drugs is because they actually need them. Here's a novel idea: write them a prescription for the drug so they can be treated rather than labeling them as drug abusers.

Emy Earnhardt of CA 4:53PM June 03, 2010

The large percent of respondents who had used prescription drugs without a prescription is a matter of grave concern. The differences between whites and minorities might be confounded by socioeconomic status. Perhaps most important, the extremely high percent who had not been physically active at an appropriate level for adolescents of high school age could be addressed by one period of gym every day!

John French 4:48PM June 03, 2010