Since 2009, US high school seniors have reported steep declines in medical use, misuse, and availability of the three most commonly prescribed and misused controlled substances for teens, according to a new study.<\/p>\n
For the study, which apepars in JAMA<\/a><\/em>, researchers compared use trends, sources, and perceived availability of opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines<\/a> from 2009 to 2022.<\/p>\n
“While this decrease is encouraging, we need to be vigilant because any amount of nonmedical use poses risks, especially with the danger posed by counterfeit pills<\/a>.”<\/p>\n
Other findings from 2009 through 2022:<\/p>\n
School closures during COVID<\/a> accounted for the largest changes because students had limited contact with each other, and opportunities to sell or give away prescription drugs to friends declined, McCabe says.<\/p>\n
“Adolescents have found it more difficult to obtain prescription stimulants for nonmedical use in recent years, which is a positive sign,” he says. “There needs to be more attention on stimulant use<\/a> and diversion, and our team is currently working on such studies to help inform clinical guidelines for ADHD and stimulant use disorder.”<\/p>\n
Source: University of Michigan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"