A new SAMHSA report indicates that 4.31 percent of people aged 12 or older in the United States used prescription pain relievers nonmedically in the past year. The report also shows variations in use by state, indicating that rates of past year nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers among those aged 12 or older ranged from 3.41 percent in Minnesota to 5.31 percent in Oklahoma.
Research has found that the vast majority of people who take prescription pain relievers do not misuse them; however, their misuse is second only to marijuana use as the nation’s most prevalent illicit drug problem.
The press release can be accessed at: https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/201707130900
The report can be accessed at: https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_3187/ShortReport-3187.html
Source: SAMHSA.gov – July 13, 2017
