Teens and Prescription Drugs

Usage, Perceptions, and Pervasiveness

Prescription drugs are more prevalent in society today than in previous generations. Since 2000, there have been significant increases in overall prescription drug use across a broad and diverse group of adults1. More adults are using prescription drugs, and increased usage without a deep understanding of the effect opens the door to increased misuse and abuse. This trend can be seen in the 12.5 million Americans who reported misusing prescription pain relievers in 2016.