What prescription drugs are commonly

abused?What prescription drugs are commonly

abused?

Who abuses prescription drugs? Who abuses prescription drugs?

How are prescription drugs abused? How are prescription drugs abused?

What are the risks? What are the risks?

How are they How are they 

Is abusing prIs abusing pr

What prescription drugs are commonlyabused?

The prescription drugs that are

commonly abused in the UnitedStates fall into several broadcategories: opioids/narcotics/painrelievers, depressants, and stimulants. Individuals abuse these drugsbecause they are an easily accessibleand inexpensive means of altering auser’s mental and physical state; theeffects vary depending upon the drugsthey abuse.

Who abuses prescription drugs?What are the risks?

Individuals of all ages abuse prescription drugs—data reported in the

National Household Survey on DrugAbuse indicate that an estimated 36million U.S. residents aged 12 and olderabused prescription drugs at least oncein their lifetime. The survey also revealedthat millions of teenagers and youngadults abuse prescription drugs—2.7million individuals aged 12 to 17 and 6.9million individuals aged 18 to 25 abusedprescription drugs at least once.

Prescription drug abuse among high

school students is a particular concern.According to the University of Michigan’sMonitoring the Future Survey, more than10 percent of high school seniors in theUnited States abused narcotics (otherthan heroin) at least once in their lifetime. Nearly 17 percent abused amphetamines (a type of stimulant), 10 percentabused barbiturates, and 11 percentabused tranquilizers at least once.

The risks associated with prescription drug abuse vary depending upon

the drugs that are abused. Abuse ofopioids/narcotics/pain relievers canresult in life-threatening respiratorydepression (reduced breathing).Individuals who abuse depressants,including benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, barbiturates, and sedatives, placethemselves at risk of seizures, respiratory depression, and decreased heartrate. Stimulant abuse can cause highbody temperature, irregular heart rate,

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Drug Type Drug Type Common

Brand Names Brand Names

Drug Type Common

Brand Names

Opioids/narcotics/ Dilaudid, Lorcet,

Lortab, OxyContin,Percocet, Percodan,Tylox, Vicodin

Depressants Librium, Valium,(benzodiazepines, Xanaxtranquilizers,barbiturates, sedatives)Stimulants Adderall, Concerta,

Ritalin

pain relievers

How are prescription drugs abused?

Prescription drugs are abused in a

variety of ways. Many of the prescription drugs that are commonly abusedare available as tablets. Typically abusers either consume the tablets orally orcrush them into a powder, which theythen snort. In some instances, abusersdissolve crushed tablets in water andthen inject the solution.
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Cover photo: NDIC. Courtesy of Martella’s Pharmacy

NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-013

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Opioids/Narcotics/ Pain RelieversDepressantsOxyContinPercocetVicodinBenzodiazepines

Hillbilly heroinOxycottonPercsVikes

CandyDownersSleeping pillsTranks

OxycetHappy pills

Xanax

Totem poles

Street Terms for Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Street Terms for Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Street Terms for Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

BarbituratesRitalinAmphetamines

BarbsBlue birdsPhenniesTootiesYellowsYellow jackets

Kiddy cocaineVitamin RWest Coast

BenniesBlack beautiesCrossesHeartsLA turnaroundSpeedTruck driversUppers

Reds

Stimulants

Check out Fast Facts on: Check out Fast Facts on: out Fast Facts on:

 Crack cocaine

Crystalmethamphetamine

Drug paraphernaliaDXM

Foxy

Fry

GHB and analogsHeroinInhalantsJimsonweedKetamineKhatLSD

Marijuana





MDMAMethadoneMethamphetamineOxyContinPCPPowdered cocainePsilocybinRitalinRohypnolSalvia divinorumSteroidsTeens and drugsTriple CYaba

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Call 814-532-4541

to request NDIC products

Call 814-532-4541

to request NDIC products

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Other products of interest:

For more information on illicit drugs

check out our web site at:

Call 814-532-4541

to request NDIC products







Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants

Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth

Drugs,Youth, and the Internet

National Drug Intelligence Center

NDIC Washington Liaison Office

ADNET http://ndicosa

LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndicRISS ndic.riss.netINTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic

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