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Office of the Director, ONDCP July 6, 2010
Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States and is a serious public health concern. Here are a few startling statistics regarding the extent of the issue:
• In recent years, the number of individuals who, for the first time, consumed prescription drugs for a non-medical purpose, exceeded the number of first-time marijuana users.[1]
• Monitoring the Future, a study of youth attitudes and drug use, shows that seven of the top ten drugs reported abused by 12th graders are prescription drugs.[2]
• From 1997 to 2007 there was a 400% increase in treatment admissions for individuals primarily abusing prescription pain killers.[3]
