This study explored the extent to which nonprescription and prescription drugs misuse among adolescents/young adults are related to their perception that it is safer than illicit drugs, ease of access, and lower societal stigma. Adolescents/young adults (N = 465; M age = 18.57, SD = 0.86) completed an online survey about their nonprescription and prescription drug misuse, other substance use, a...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of prescription drug misuse among Oklahoma high school students, examine associated risk factors, and inform state-based prevention strategies. METHODS Data from the 2013 Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey were used for this analysis and were representative of public school students in grades 9 through 12 in Oklahoma. Variables we...

BACKGROUND Non-medical/illegal use of prescription stimulants popularly have been referred to as "study drugs". This paper discusses the current prevalence and consequences of misuse of these drugs and implications of this information for drug policy. RESULTS Study drugs are being misused annually by approximately 4% of older teens and emerging adults. Yet, there are numerous consequences of ...

Abstract: Self-care and self-medication are common practices in any health care system. The procedure includes the usage of Over-the-counter or non-prescription drugs which obtained by individuals without a prescription from physician for treatment ailments. Lower costs, convenience, availability, ability to control one’s own illness potential benefits over-the-counter- drugs. risk drug misuse,...

We compared the prevalence of prescription opiate misuse among 2 cohorts of felony probationers (N = 1525). Multiple logistic regression was utilized to determine the independent correlates of prescription opiate misuse among rural (n = 782) and urban (n = 743) probationers participating in an HIV-intervention study. After adjustment for differences in demographic and drug use characteristics, ...

BACKGROUND The production, prescription, and consumption of opioid analgesics to treat non-cancer pain have increased dramatically in the USA in the past decade. As a result, misuse of these opioids has increased; overdose and transition to riskier forms of drug use have also emerged. Research points to a trend in transition to drug injection among those misusing prescription opioids, where clu...