Prescription Drugs

The abuse of prescription drugs has increased significantly, with the number of Americans who report abusing controlled prescription drugs more than doubling from 7.8 million to 16.3 million from 1992 to 2006. Examples of commonly used and abused prescription drugs include but are not limited to benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam [Valium], clonazepam [Klonopin]), stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate [Ritalin], d-amphetamine), opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone), and barbiturates (e.g., pentobarbital). In its 2007 report, the International Narcotics Control Board reported that the abuse and trafficking of prescription drugs is set to exceed other illicit drugs. The board noted that medications containing narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances have become a drug of first choice for many individuals, rather than being used as a substitute for the more conventional illicit drugs such ...