Trends in Prescription Stimulant, Opioid, and Benzodiazepine Use and Diversion in U.S. Adolescents

What is it about?

This national study examined trends in nonmedical use and diversion sources of prescription stimulants, opioids, and benzodiazepines among US adolescents. Over time, nonmedical use of all three prescription drug classes decreased. The proportion of adolescents saying it would be difficult to get prescription drugs increased, and those who used prescription drugs nonmedically became less likely to get them from their friends, especially during the COVID pandemic. In recent years, US adolescents’ own leftover medication was the most prevalent source for nonmedical use of prescription opioids and stimulants.

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