Session: Prescription Drug Abuse in Young People: Prevalence, Patterns, Factors and Treatment

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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

3003.0: Monday, November 06, 2006: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM

Oral

Prescription Drug Abuse in Young People: Prevalence, Patterns, Factors and Treatment

In this session quantitative and qualitative analyses are used to provide a comprehensive picture of prescription drug problem use in young people. The nonmedical use and abuse of prescribed drugs has risen dramatically in this United States in the past five years, surpassing the use of most other substances other than alcohol and marijuana. Use is most prevalent in adolescents and young adults, and it is these two populations that are particularly vulnerable to use and consequences of use, including abuse and dependency. After attending this session, participants will be able to: 1) Describe the national prevalence of prescription drug use and abuse/dependency (treatment need) in young people; 2) Understand the factors and reasons why young people choose to use prescription drugs as substances of abuse; and 3) Examine need for treatment and treatment receipt among this vulnerable population.

Learning Objectives: Refer to the individual abstracts for learning objectives

Organizer(s):

Linda Simoni-Wastila, PhD

Moderator(s):

Linda Simoni-Wastila, PhD

8:30 AM

Prescription Drug Non-medical Use in Young Adults: National View of Prevalence and Patterns of Use
Huiwen Keri Yang, MS, Linda Simoni-Wastila, PhD

8:48 AM

Understanding prescription drug misuse among college students