Teen Prescription Drug Abuse Rates Rising, Attitudes About Stimulant Abuse of Particular Concern

Teen abuse of prescription drugs has increased, in part driven by teens’ and parents’ attitudes toward stimulant abuse, indicates the latest Partnership Attitude Tracking Study. According to the national study, conducted by the Partnership at Drugfree.org, almost one-third of parents report that they believe stimulants such as Ritalin^® and Adderall^® can improve a child’s academic performance even if the child has not been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study also indicates that one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription drug at least once, an increase of 18% since 2008. Further, about one in four teens indicate that their parents are not as concerned if they are caught misusing prescription drugs, compared with if they are caught using street drugs.

The AWARxE® Consumer Protection Program provides numerous resources to help educate consumers – including parents and teens – about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, as well as information and resources for preventing abuse. AWARxE encourages secure storage of needed medications and safe, legal disposal of unneeded, expired prescription drugs to help prevent the drugs from falling into the hands of those who may misuse them.