Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs. Prescription drug abuse poses a unique challenge because of the need to balance prevention, education, and enforcement, with the need for legitimate access to controlled substance prescription drugs. More

Frequently Asked Questions

• How should unused prescription drugs be disposed?
• How can I report drugs being sold on the Internet?
• Are prescription drug monitoring programs effective at controlling prescription drug abuse?
• How do I obtain a DEA license/application?
  

Publications

• The NSDUH Report: Nonmedical Stimulant Use, Other Drug Use, Delinquent Behaviors, and Depression Among Adolescents
• Prescription for Danger: A Report on Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Among the Nation’s Teens
• Methadone Diversion, Abuse, and Misuse: Deaths Increasing at Alarming Rate

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Common street terms for various prescription drugs include:

• Depressants; methaqualone, Street Term: Ludes
• OxyContin, Street Term: Hillbilly heroin
• Ritalin (methylphenidate), Street Term: Vitamin R

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