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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Huiwen Keri Yang, MS and Linda Simoni-Wastila, PhD. Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Pharmacy, 220 Arch Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-706-4352, hyang003@umaryland.edu

In 2003, more than 4.6 million young adults reported non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU), and more than one-third reported engaging in NMPDU at least weekly. This study presents patterns and correlates of NMPDU, alone and in conjunction with illicit drugs and alcohol. Although opioid analgesics are the most commonly non-medically used prescription drug class, minor tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives also are widely used among young people. Further, nearly 30% of young adults report use of 2 or more different prescription drug classes. Preliminary multivariable analysis of correlates of NMPDU reveal that factors associated with use vary by drug class and by whether respondents reported past-year use of prescription drugs only or concurrently engaged in illicit substance use, suggesting that there may be distinct types of non-medical prescription drug users.

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