Strategies Needed to Prevent Diversion of Prescription Opioids to Youth

Despite the well-documented detrimental effects of opioid abuse, misuse of prescription opioids remains high among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. While measures have been implemented to prevent prescription opioid diversion, such as prescription drug monitoring programs, access to friends’ and family members’ prescription opioids is an important driver of prescription opioid abuse among adolescents and young adults. According to a recent analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH], the majority of 12-25 year olds who misused prescription opioids in 2015-16 reported receiving those opioids from friends and family members. Strategies aimed at preventing the diversion of prescription opioids to this vulnerable population are needed.

Hudgins, J. D., Porter, J. J., Monuteaux, M. C., & Bourgeois, F. T. (2019). Prescription opioid use and misuse among adolescents and young adults in the United States: A national survey study. PLOS Medicine, 16(11). doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002922