Facts
The Problem
Prescription drug abuse in northern Michigan is real. It’s growing, and it’s dangerous.
Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs other than alcohol, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs. And, northern Michigan communities are not immune from this growing and dangerous problem. Learn the facts about this growing, and dangerous problem in your community.
Number of Deaths
Since 2000, over 550 overdose and drug poisoning deaths related have been recorded in northern and central Michigan. The majority of these deaths are related to prescription drugs. (Source: Michigan Department of Community Health)
Treatments of Opiate Abuse
NMSAS treatments for Methadone and other illicitly used prescription opiates have risen from approximately 500 in 2003 to over 1,500 in 2010. (Source: Northern Michigan Substance Abuse Services)
Number of Treatments in Northern Michigan
In 2010, 1,000 people were treated at hospitals for prescription drug overdoses in the NMSAS service area. (Source: Michigan Hospital Association)
Easy to Access
Every day, 2,500 teenagers nationwide use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. They're accessing these drugs in the comfort of home; it can be as easy as opening a cupboard, drawer, or medicine cabinet.
Prescription Drug Abuse High
12 to 17 year olds abuse prescription drugs more than they abuse ecstasy, crack/cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine combined.
Abuse Under 15
60% of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before age 15
Compare to Marijuana
There are as many new abusers age 12 to 17 of prescription drugs as there are of marijuana
Three Classes of Commonly Abuse Prescription Drugs
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) research report Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction, there are three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused:
Opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain—examples include: codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine (Kadian and Avinza), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and propoxyphene (Darvon).
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders—examples include: barbiturates (Mebaral and Nembutal) and benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax).
Stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity—examples include: dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta).
