Prescription Drugs

OUR PRIORITY OUR POSITION CAUSE FOR CONCERN CAUSE FOR HOPE OUR SOLUTIONS

Our Priority

The Shared Future Coalition focuses on preventing the misuse of prescription drugs among adolescents. “Youth who misuse prescription medications are also more likely to report use of other drugs. Multiple studies have revealed associations between prescription drug misuse and higher rates of cigarette smoking; heavy episodic drinking; and marijuana, cocaine, and other illicit drug use among U.S. adolescents, young adults, and college students.”¹ Adolescents who receive a legitimate prescription for painkillers (or “opioids”, such as Vicodin) have a greater risk of future opioid misuse, particularly among young adults who have little, to no history of drug use.² A Deschutes County study in 2016 on the misuse of prescription medication among 12 to 25 year olds revealed that people in this age range were more likely to misuse behavioral health medications such as ADHD, anti-anxiety, or anti-depressant medications, rather than prescription painkillers.³

Prescription medications/drugs are divided into controlled or non-controlled substances. Both the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are granted power to classify substances under the Controlled Substances Act.

Controlled prescription drugs are categorized (“scheduled”) by their relative abuse potential, and likelihood of causing dependence when abused.* They require an authorized medical professional to determine the proper dosage and frequency of use. An authorized pharmacist must distributed them. Examples of controlled substances may include brand names such as Vicodin, Xanax, Ativan, Valium Ritalin, and Adderall.

Non-controlled prescription drugs are primarily for infections or chronic medical conditions. They require an authorized medical professional to determine the proper dosage and frequency of use, and an authorized pharmacist must distributed them. Examples of non-controlled prescription drugs may include blood pressure medication, asthma inhalers, antibiotics, and insulin.

*Marijuana/cannabis used for medical purposes does not currently meet the definition of a prescription drug. Marijuana/cannabis may be recommended by a medical professional, but dosing, frequency of use, and other prescription criteria are not dictated by a recommendation in the same way as prescription drugs approved by the US FDA.

Our Position

Young people under the age of 25 and other vulnerable populations are particularly susceptible to the effects of prescription drug misuse.^2,4,5 Prescription drugs can be dangerous when not used properly and should be taken only as directed by a qualified medical/behavioral health care provider. Securely storing prescription drugs at home and disposing prescription drugs safely in official drug disposal drop boxes are actions that we can all take to protect our loved ones and our community.

Supporting Data

Cause for Concern

figure1-prescription — Fifty percent of the time, medications are not taken as prescribed, even though not following the prescription instructions can lead to a person’s disease getting worse, hospitalization, or even death.⁶ Young people and adults in Deschutes County misperceive that use of prescription medications without a doctor’s order is more safe than use of other drugs.⁸

figure2-prescription-1 — Key informant interviews in Deschutes County indicate that some young people in Deschutes County are misusing AD/HD medications to try to increase academic performance and/or using anti-anxiety drugs to try to relax with friends.⁹

Cause for Hope

figure4-prescription — In 2019, most 8th and 11th graders in Deschutes County did NOT use prescription medications without a doctor’s orders.¹⁰

figure5-prescription — Since 2016, the percentage of students in Deschutes County 11th graders reporting use of prescription drugs without a doctor’s order is less than the state average.¹¹ Rates of prescription drug use without a doctor’s prescription among 8th and 11th graders have been steadily decreasing since 2012.¹²

figure6-prescription-1 — In 2019, over 89% of Deschutes County middle and high school youth thought there was “moderate” or “great” risk of harm in using prescription drugs that are not prescribed to them.¹³

Our Solutions

Our high level goal is to prevent misuse of prescription drugs by young people, ages 18-25.

The Shared Future Coalition recognizes that the negative impacts of prescription drug misuse are not the same for all people in Deschutes County. The Shared Future Coalition strives to meet the needs of those who are at greatest risk of misusing prescription medications, as well as the needs of people who are experiencing higher levels of negative impact from prescription drug misuse. Young people under the age of 25 and other vulnerable populations are particularly susceptible to the effects of prescription drug misuse, as noted in our position statement.

Example Projects

Take Meds Seriously Oregon

Public awareness campaign promoting safe use, safe storage, and safe disposal of prescription medications.

“UpShift” program in Bend-La Pine Schools and Sisters School District

All students who violate school district drug use policies have access to individualized services designed to stop prescription drug misuse and other drug use
Services offered have been shown to be effective in research studies

Connect Workshop for Parents

FREE, two-hour workshop for parents and guardians in Deschutes County to learn factual, unbiased information and skills to start conversations with their kids about misusing prescription drugs and other drug use

References

[1] NIDA. (2021, April 13). What is the scope of prescription drug misuse? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/what-scope-prescription-drug-misuse

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, July 5). Vital Signs: Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers and Other Drugs Among Women — United States, 1999–2010. CDC : Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/
mm6226a3.htm

[3] Deschutes County Health Services and the Shared Future Coalition. (2016). Prescription Drug Abuse Among Young People Age 12–25 in Deschutes County. Deschutes County Health Services.

[4] Volkow N. D. (2009). Teen prescription drug abuse a major health concern. Tennessee medicine : journal of the Tennessee Medical Association, 102(4), 28–29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827331/

[5] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Rise in Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Impacting Teens. SAMHSA. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/rise-prescription-drug-misuse-abuse-impacting-teens

[6] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2016, February 16). Why You Need to Take Your Medications as Prescribed or Instructed. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/why-you-need-take-your-medications-prescribed-or-instructed

[7] McCabe, S. E. (2012). Medical and Nonmedical Use of Prescription Opioids Among High School Seniors in the United States. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 166(9), 797. https://doi.org/10.1001/
archpediatrics.2012.85

[8] Deschutes County Health Services and the Shared Future Coalition. (2016). Prescription Drug Abuse Among Young People Age 12–25 in Deschutes County. Deschutes County Health Services.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Oregon Health Authority. (2018). Student Wellness Survey. Health Surveys : Oregon Health Authority. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/BIRTHDEATHCERTIFICATES/SURVEYS/Pages/Student-Wellness-Survey.aspx

[11] Oregon Health Authority. (2016-2018). Student Wellness Survey. Health Surveys : Oregon Health Authority. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/BIRTHDEATHCERTIFICATES/SURVEYS/
Pages/Student-Wellness-Survey.aspx

[12] Oregon Health Authority. (2012-2018). Student Wellness Survey. Health Surveys : Oregon Health Authority. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/BIRTHDEATHCERTIFICATES/SURVEYS/
Pages/Student-Wellness-Survey.aspx

[13] Oregon Health Authority. (2019). 2019 Results : Oregon Healthy Teens Survey. Oregon Health Authority : Oregon Healthy Teens Survey. Retrieved November 3, 2021, from https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/BIRTHDEATH
CERTIFICATES/SURVEYS/OREGONHEALTHYTEENS/Pages/2019.aspx