National Survey Shows Friends and Family Are Primary Sources of Abused Painkillers

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released a new analysis of data from the 2009 and 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) revealing that the majority of new or occasional nonmedical users of pain relievers obtained the drug from family or friends for free or took them without asking. In contrast, frequent or chronic users (those who used pain relievers non-medically once a week or more on average in the past year) were more likely to obtain the drug from doctors or by buying them than were less frequent users.

“These data confirm that properly disposing of expired or unneeded medications is one of the most important actions Americans can take to address our Nation’s prescription drug abuse epidemic,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. “We will continue our unprecedented and comprehensive efforts to address this threat, but at the end of the day, our strongest tool is vigilance among everyone with access to a medicine cabinet.” 

ONDCP findings from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s NSDUH averaged for 2009 and 2010 show that over half (55 percent) of persons who used pain relievers non-medically obtained the pain relievers from a friend or relative for free, another 11 percent bought them from a friend or relative, and 5 percent got them from a friend or relative without asking – adding up to 71 percent obtaining their most recently used pain relievers in some fashion from friends and family. Additionally, the more frequently prescription pain relievers are used, the more likely these pain relievers were obtained from doctors or purchased, rather than by getting them for free. 

Some key findings from this analysis: 

• Among new abusers of pain relievers, 68 percent of new users (those who began misuse of pain relievers in the past year) obtained their abused pills from a friend or relative for free or took them without asking, 17 percent were prescribed by one or more doctors, and 9 percent were purchased from a friend, dealer, or the Internet.

• Among occasional abusers of pain relievers (less than once a week on average in the past year), 66 percent obtained the pills for free from a friend or relative or took them without asking, 17 percent were prescribed from one or more doctors, and 13 percent were purchased from a friend or relative, dealer, or the Internet. 

• Among chronic abusers of pain relievers only 41 percent obtained the pills for free or without asking from a friend or relative, 26 percent were prescribed from one or more doctors, and 28 percent were purchased from a friend or relative, dealer or the internet. 

To help Americans address this threat, the Drug Enforcement Administration will host its fourth National Take Back Day on Saturday at more than 5,000 collection sites across the United States. Last October, 377,080 pounds—188.5 tons—of prescription drugs at over 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and state and local law enforcement partners were collected. In its three previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in almost a million pounds—nearly 500 tons—of pills. 

A full copy of the ONDCP's analysis, "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis," is available here. 

Visit www.DEA.gov to find a location taking back medications near you on Saturday.

Coalitions in Action: Brazilian Coalition Trained by CADCA has Lowest Rates of Alcohol Sales to Minors in the Country

Over the past four years, CADCA has provided training and technical assistance to various communities in Brazil, South America’s largest country. Evidence is now emerging about the impact of a coalition CADCA helped form in the city of Pindamonhangaba (“Pinda”), a city of 150,000 inhabitants, in São Paulo State.

During a recent visit by CADCA’s Vice-President for International Programs, Dr. Eduardo Hernández-Alarcón, to community groups in the city of São Paulo, one of Brazil’s leading researchers praised the Pinda coaition’s work to improve its alcohol environment. While selling to minors under the age of 18 years old is illegal in Brazil, the law is generally ignored and there is virtually no enforcement.

The researcher, Dr. Ronaldo Laranjeira of the Federal University of São Paulo, observed that his studies show that the average percentage of outlets that sell to minors in his country is a startling 85 percent. However, he noted, because of the work of the community coalition, Pinda’s rate was only 56 percent, the lowest in Brazil.

Eliane Prado Marcondes, President of the Pinda coalition, noted that they utilized evidence-based strategies which their members learned at CADCA trainings to address the issue of sales of minors.

“We used multiple strategies to address this serious issue” Marcondes stated. “For example, we got the city to place signs in all outlets with the notice that federal law prohibits the sale to minors. We also requested that the local police increase monitoring of all of these establishments. Local church leaders distributed information to their members about the necessity of enforcing the alcohol laws in their neighborhoods and encouraged residents to report violations to the police. Finally, we worked closely with the local business association and municipal authorities to visit all outlets to make them aware of the law and its consequences.”

Pinda coalition Vice President, Father José Júlio Azarito, observed that while he is pleased with the progress Pinda has made to protect its youth, much more needs to be done.

CADCA is currently providing training and technical assistance to several communities in São Paulo state. Dr. Hernández and CADCA trainer Juliana Badaró Langille, herself a native Brazilian, recently completed a week-long visit to Brazil where they provided training to groups in the cities of Tremebé, Taubaté, and Redenção da Serra. Langille, who is the Executive Director of the Community Connections of Brockton coalition in Massachussetts, also conducted two half day trainings for youth.

CADCA’s International Program is supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agency of the U.S. State Department.

420 Provides a Chance to Counter Marijuana’s Harmful Influence on Communities

Coalitions are “re-mixing” what “420” means to youth, changing the perception that marijuana is not harmful, and are re-claiming April 20th from an unofficial marijuana smokers’ “holiday.”

Marijuana use among teens rose last year for the fourth straight year, according to the Monitoring the Future survey. In states where marijuana use is viewed by many teens as harmless, and where efforts to legalize the drug have surfaced, such as in California and Colorado, it’s not unusual to hear the local DJ do fake bong hits on air when youth are listening, at 4:20 p.m. or on April 20th.

The most widely accepted theory of "420's" origination is that in the 1970s, high school-age stoners in Northern California congregated at 4:20 p.m. daily. "420" has evolved into an unofficial marijuana holiday.

Rather than celebrating such a "holiday," educators, law enforcement officers and health advocates in Vista, Calif. want students to bungee and bounce their way to a sober and drug-free life choice at their ninth annual anti-420 event, “420 Remix, A Celebration of Sober and Drug-Free Life Choices,” on April 20.

The event, coordinated by the North Coastal Prevention Coalition, will invite 1,000 sixth-through ninth-grade students to participate in positive alternative activities after school, instead of smoking marijuana. And their parents can attend an optional presentation on “420.”

Their 420 Remix event started when counselors noted that several students in drug treatment relapsed on that day. Organizers hope that events like this will change societal norms and influence public policy, but above all, they just want kids to be kids, and enjoy themselves, substance-free, for the afternoon.

In Colorado, the Substance Abuse Coalition of Douglas County is encouraging students to “Take Back 420″ by volunteering on April 20.

The coalition organized “Take Back 420″ as a positive way for teens to reclaim April 20 as a day of rejuvenation and restoration, a day when they take their day-off to give and share. The organization is helping to coordinate day-long volunteer opportunities for Douglas County youth at various non-profit organizations and local agencies on April 20.

“The date is two days before Earth Day, and it’s the same weekend as Global Youth Service Day. These are days when people all over put their hands and hearts to work for the good of the planet and our fellow planet-dwellers,” said Carla Turner, organizer of the event and member of SAC-DC, in a news release.

“We’d like to see the youth of Douglas County make April 20th memorable for service. We’d like to emphasize the good things our teens do and celebrate all that is wonderful about our teens,” Turner said.

Marijuana is a topic of significant public discourse in the United States, and while many are familiar with the discussions, it is not always easy to find the latest, research-based information on marijuana to answer to the common questions about its health effects, or the differences between federal and state laws concerning the drug.

Confusing messages being presented by popular culture, media, proponents of “medical” marijuana, and political campaigns to legalize all marijuana use perpetuate the false notion that marijuana is harmless. This significantly diminishes efforts to keep young people drug free and hampers the struggle of those recovering from addiction.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy opposes legalization of marijuana and other drugs because legalization would increase the availability and use of illicit drugs, and pose significant health and safety risks to all Americans, particularly young people. This web-based resource center provides the general public, community leaders, and other interested people with the facts, knowledge, and tools to better understand and address marijuana in their communities.

This resource center will be regularly updated and expanded to address emerging issues, research, and prevention tools, and highlight successful local efforts to reduce marijuana use.

For more information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/frequently-asked-questions-and-facts-about-marijuana.