Research
Teen Prescription Drug Abuse: An Emerging Threat
Developed by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) in Collaboration with ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.
Strategies to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens in Your Community
Thanks to years of hard work on the national and community level, teen drug use is down overall. However, one category is actually on the rise. In fact, more teens now abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana, more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined. Teens believe abusing prescription drugs is safer than using illicit drugs, but these drugs can be addictive and dangerous. These medications may be readily available to teens, and many parents are not aware that teens are abusing these drugs.