NCJ Number
208516
Date Published
November 2004
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of the diversion and abuse of pharmaceutical narcotics, depressants, and stimulants in the United States.
Abstract
The abuse of diverted prescription drugs became an increasing problem throughout the 1990’s, but stabilized by 2002. Current data from the National Drug Intelligence Center’s (NDIC) National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) indicate that the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs may now be declining. Despite this decline, the rate of abuse for pharmaceuticals is high compared with abuse rates for other types of drugs. Approximately 6.3 percent of individuals aged 12 years and older reported nonmedical use of a prescription drug. Over the past 4 years, more prescription pharmaceuticals have been disbursed for legitimate commercial use, making these pharmaceuticals more available for diversion and abuse. Most prescription drug diversion occurs through doctor shopping, forgery, theft, and the Internet. Data on the diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals are offered by region of the United States. NDTS data from 2004 suggest that law enforcement in the Northwest region identify pharmaceuticals as their greatest drug threat more often than any other region in the country. Approximately 4 percent of law enforcement agencies in the Northwest identify pharmaceuticals as the drugs most linked to violent crime, while 4.4 percent of agencies link pharmaceuticals to property crimes. The Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, Pacific, and West regions are similarly discussed. The future outlook predicts that the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs will decline due to increased law enforcement awareness. Table, figure