UNCLASSIFIED

Title:

National Prescription Drug Threat Assessment 2009

Publication Date: April 2009

Document ID: 2009-L0487-001

Archived on: January 1, 2012. This document may contain dated information. It remains available to provide access to historical materials.

This assessment focuses primarily on domestic diversion of controlled prescription drugs (CPDs). It examines current nonmedical use of prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs (opioid pain relievers, tranquilizers, sedatives, or stimulants) and discusses their distribution, the societal impact of CPD diversion and abuse, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) that have been established legislatively in many states to stem CPD diversion and abuse. This assessment also examines regional deviations from national trends.

Your questions, comments, and suggestions for future subjects are welcome at any time. Addresses are provided at the end of the page.

Contents

List of Figures

Figure 1. Prescription Opioid Analgesic Deaths Nationwide, 2001-2005
Figure 2. Past Month Nonmedical Use of Psychotherapeutics by Individuals 12 or Older, by Percentage, Nationwide, 2003-2007
Figure 3. Cumulative Distribution of Opioids, Methylphenidate, and Amphetamine, in Grams, per 100,000 Population, 2003-2007
Figure 4. Estimated Number of Total Analyzed Controlled Prescription Drug Items, 2003-2007
Figure 5. Internet Sites Advertising or Offering to Sell Controlled Prescription Drugs, 2004-2008
Figure 6. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting High Availability of Pharmaceuticals, by OCDETF Region, 2004-2008
Figure 7. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting an Association Between Diverted Pharmaceuticals and Crime, 2004-2008
Figure 8. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting Street Gang Involvement in Pharmaceutical Distribution, by OCDETF Region, 2004-2008
Figure 9. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting OMG Involvement in Pharmaceutical Distribution, by OCDETF Region, 2004-2008
Figure 10. Status of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs as of January 1, 2009
Figure 11. Aggregate Production Quotas for Selected Schedule II Controlled Prescription Drugs, in Kilograms, 2004-2008
Figure 12. Percentage of Past Month Nonmedical Use of Psychotherapeutics, by Age, 2003-2007
Figure 13. Specific Drug Used When Initiating Illicit Drug Use Among Past Year Initiates of Illicit Drugs, Aged 12 or Older, 2007
Figure 14. Past Year Initiates for Specific Illicit Drugs Among Persons Aged 12 or Older, in Thousands, 2007
Figure 15. Past Month Nonmedical Use of Psychotherapeutics by Individuals 12 and Older, in Percentages, 2003-2007
Figure 16. Percentage of Teenagers Who Used a Prescription Pain Reliever or Stimulant Not Prescribed for Them, 2004-2008
Figure 17. Percentage of Teenagers With Friends or Classmates Who Abuse Prescription Drugs, 2004-2008
Figure 18. Past Month Use of Psychotherapeutics Among 12- to 17-Year-Olds, in Percentages, 2003-2007
Figure 19. Unintentional Prescription Opioid Analgesic, Cocaine, and Heroin Deaths Nationwide, 2001-2005
Figure 20. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Regions.
Figure 21. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting Greatest Drug Threat, by Drug, Nationwide, 2004-2008
Figure 22. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting High Availability, by Drug, Nationwide, 2004-2008
Figure 23. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting Association Between Drug Type and Violent Crime, Nationwide, 2004-2008
Figure 24. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting Association Between Drug Type and Property Crime, Nationwide, 2004-2008

List of Tables

Table 1. Prescriptions Written for Generic or Brand Name Opioid Pain Relievers, Methylphenidate, and Amphetamine, in Thousands, 2003-2007
Table 2. Controlled Prescription Drug Seizures Reported to the National Seizure System, by Measurement Provided, 2003-2008
Table 3. Schedule II-V Controlled Prescription Drugs Reported Stolen or Lost in Transit Nationwide in Milliliters and Quantities, 2003-2007
Table 4. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting High Levels of Diversion/Illicit Use of Pharmaceuticals, 2006-2008
Table 5. Trends in Annual Prevalence of Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs in Grades 8, 10, and 12, by Percentage, 2004-2008
Table 6. Emergency Department Visits for Nonmedical Use of Selected Controlled Prescription Drugs and Percent of Change, 2004-2006

List of Tables in Appendix B

Table B1. Controlled Prescription Drug Prices Collected in 2008

Addresses

Web Addresses

ADNET:  http://ndicosa.adnet.sgov.gov/index.htm
DOJ:  http://www.usdoj.gov/archive/ndic/
LEO:  https://www.leo.gov/http://leowcs.leopriv.gov/lesig/archive/ndic/index.htm
RISS:  ndic.riss.net

Questions and comments may be directed to Special Projects Unit, National Threat Analysis Branch through NDIC.Contacts@usdoj.gov.

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