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Abuse of Narcotic Painkillers Rise
WASHINGTON – More people began using narcotic pain relievers for non-medical reasons in the last year surveyed than started used marijuana or cocaine, according to a report recorded yesterday by a Department of Health and Human Services agency.
According to the report, 2.4 million persons 12 years of age or older initiated non-medical use of prescription pain relievers in the twelve months prior to the survey, 2.1 million started using marijuana, and one million began using cocaine.
The report, “Non-medical Users of Pain Relievers: Characteristics of Recent Initiates,” was released by HIHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The data was extracted from the 2004 Survey on Drug Use and Health.
More than half the people initiated non-medical of pain medications, 54.9%, in 2004 were female, the report said.
It said 48% of new initiates used Vicodin, Lortab or Lorcet; 34.3% used Darvocet, Darvon, or Tylenol with codeine; 20% used Percocet, Percodan or Tylox; 18.4% used generic hydrocodone; 14.3%used generic codeine; 8.4% used Oxycontin; and 4.3 used morphine.
“While overall illicit drug use continues to decline among our young people, we are always paying close attention to the data to identify any potential areas of concern,” says Charles Curi of the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration.
“Abuse of prescription pain medication is dangerous and can lead to the destructive path of addiction. The initiation rates show we must continue our efforts to help the public confront and reduce all drug abuse.”
  Infinite Health Resources does not at any point, for any circumstances suggest that you do not follow or stop medical advice of your physician. We do not advocate any drugs that has not been prescribed by your physician, nor suggest that we are medical doctors nor are we giving medical advice. Infinite Health Resources is here purely as a resource. |
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