Prescription Drugs: State Monitoring Programs Provide Useful Tool to Reduce Diversion.

摘要

The increasing diversion of prescription drugs for illegal use is a disturbing trend in the nation's battle against drug abuse. Prescription drug diversion is the channeling of licit pharmaceuticals for illegal purposes or abuse. It can involve activities such as 'doctor shopping' by individuals who visit numerous physicians to obtain multiple prescriptions, illegal sales of prescription drugs by physicians or pharmacists, and prescription forgery. The most frequently diverted prescription drugs are those that are prone to abuse, addiction, and dependence, such as hydrocodone (the active ingredient in Lortab and many other drugs), diazepam (Valium), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and oxycodone (the active ingredient in OxyContin and many other drugs). According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), increases in the extent of prescription drug abuse and in emergency room admissions related to prescription drug abuse, as well as an increase in the theft and illegal resale of prescription drugs, indicate that drug diversion is a growing problem nationwide. In 2000, the most recent year for which data are available, about 9 million Americans aged 12 and older reported using prescription drugs, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, or sedatives, for nonmedical purposes. The abuse of illegally diverted prescription drugs is associated with serious consequences, including addiction, overdose, and death.