National Survey Shows Declines in Prescription Drug Abuse Among Young Adults

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is encouraged that recent survey results show significant declines in the non-medical use of prescription drugs.

According to new data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the number of young adults (people aged 18 to 25) who used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in the past month declined 14 percent -- from 2 million in 2010 to 1.7 million in 2011. This decline has driven an overall 12 percent decline in the number of Americans abusing prescription drugs.

"These results are encouraging, but we cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball. The abuse of painkillers in America continues to take too many lives, tear apart too many families, and place too many burdens on communities across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prescription drug abuse remains an epidemic.

He continued, "The survey results prove yet again that we are not powerless against the problem of substance abuse in America. We still have more work to do, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to reversing this epidemic through a balanced approach."

To address the problem of prescription drug abuse, the Administration has released Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis. A national framework for reducing prescription drug diversion and abuse, the plan supports the expansion of state-based prescription drug monitoring programs, more convenient and environmentally responsible disposal methods to remove unused medications from the home, education for patients and healthcare providers, and reducing the prevalence of pill mills and doctor shopping through enforcement efforts.

The NSDUH is a scientifically conducted annual survey of approximately 70,000 people throughout the country, aged 12 and older. Because of its statistical power, it is the nation’s premier source of statistical information on the scope and nature of many substance abuse and mental health issues affecting the nation. The complete survey findings are available on the SAMHSA web site at: http://www.samhsa.gov

For more information on Administration efforts to reduce drug use and its consequences visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP