More than one-fifth of American youth reported misuse of their psychoactive prescription, a new study found.
In a survey of kids ages 12-17 prescribed opioids, stimulants, tranquilizers, or sedatives, 20.9% equating to about 1.3 million youth said they used their medication in a way that wasn t prescribed or directed for them within the previous year, reported Israel Agaku, PhD, of Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, and colleagues.
Of these youth, 3.4% were further classified as having substance use disorder, defined as abuse or dependence on the psychoactive prescription medication within the past year, the researchers wrote online in
Among kids prescribed two or more psychoactive prescription medications at the same time, nearly half reported misusing said medication.
Study: One-third of U.S. teens, young adults misuse prescription drugs
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Almost 33% of teens misuse prescription psychoactive drugs they take for behavioral and mental health disorders, a new study has found. Photo by rawpixel/Pixabay
Feb. 2 (UPI) Almost one in three teens and young adults who take prescription stimulants or tranquilizers misuses the drugs for recreational purposes, according to a study published Tuesday by Family Medicine & Community Health.
This inappropriate use of these medications, known as psychoactive drugs and prescribed to address mental health or behavioral disorders, is even higher among older teens and young adults, the data showed.
UMass Medical School working with community to address vaccine hesitancy in Worcester
Diverse organizations bringing citizens together for public listening and learning events By Sandra Gray January 27, 2021
Many Worcester area residents have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines and some have reservations about getting them. They are eager for information from sources they trust. UMass Medical School is responding to concerns through an ongoing series of public listening and learning events to acknowledge the concerns of local community members and address vaccine hesitancy with understanding, honesty and transparency.
UMass Medical School is organizing public listening and learning events like this one to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Worcester communities.