When people hear about drug abuse, they usually think about "street drugs" such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. While these drugs continue to be of major concern, the abuse of prescription drugs is often overlooked or underestimated. Since 2000, prescription drugs have been surpassed only by marijuana as the drugs most often abused among high-school-aged youth. Prescription drug abuse is not only a problem among youth, as prescription drug abuse has increased significantly across the US since 2002. The elderly, youth, and women have all been identified as groups most at risk for prescription drug abuse. While the youth are most likely to experiment with drugs, the elderly and women are more likely to be prescribed medications likely to be abused. Three classes of prescription drugs are most often abused: opioid pain relievers, CNS depressants/anti-anxiety agents (benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, and sedatives), and stimulants. Examples of two very commonly abused narcotic pain relievers include oxycodone and hydrocodone. CNS depressants include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan). Stimulants include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Opioids are prescribed to treat pain. CNS depressants are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Stimulants are prescribed to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy.

Pain relievers account for the largest portion of non-medical uses of prescription drugs. The 2004 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders found that 9.3% had used hydrocodone (Vicodin) and 5% had used oxycodone (OxyContin) without a prescription during the past year. Opioid pain relievers attach to opioid receptors in the brain to block the perception of pain. When taken as directed, opioids are safe and effective for the management of pain. When taken as directed, opioids rarely cause addiction. Opioids are also capable of producing euphoria by affecting areas of the brain associated with pleasure. It is this euphoric affect that opioid abusers seek. Euphoric affects diminish over time, which can lead to abusers taking larger quantities to achieve euphoria. Some will resort to ingesting the drugs through other routes such as snorting or injecting to achieve the euphoric affects. These attempts to increase the amount ingested can lead to addiction and overdose. Addiction can be described as continued compulsive use of a drug despite severe negative consequences. For example addicts will continue to use a drug despite arrest, loss of job, or hospitalization.

The primary contributing factor to prescription drug abuse is easy access to prescription medications. Stealing medications from family members is one of the most common sources of drugs. Obtaining prescriptions from more than one doctor ("doctor shopping") and purchasing drugs from Internet sites are other sources. Diversion of drugs, the unlawful transfer of prescription drugs from legitimate to illicit channels, is a growing problem. Legitimate prescriptions and medications stolen from pharmacies or in transit are finding their way onto to the street for sale. New Mexico has been identified by national data as a "pocket" of prescription drug abuse. New Mexico has had the highest rate of drug-induced deaths in the US since the 1990s. The highest rate of increase, 179%, during this time has been attributed to prescription drugs.

References: http://www.nida.nih.gov/ResearchReports/Prescription/prescription2.html#HowDo, http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs1/1765/, http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/501_drug.html

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