- One person dies from a prescription drug overdose about every 20 minutes. Those who abuse opioids, depressants, and antidepressants represent close to 50% of overdose deaths. The incidence of death from overdose of prescription painkillers is more than deaths from methamphetamine, cocaine, and amphetamines combined.
- More than 20% of American adults are being treated for a psychiatric or behavioral disorder with prescription drugs, some of which are highly addictive.
- In young adults, deaths from the abuse of pain medication outnumber deaths from car accidents.
- At least one psychoactive drug is prescribed to about 30% of foster children. Many are prescribed medications like Xanax, Ritalin, or similar behavior modification drugs that are known to be addictive.
- There has been a drastic rise in the number of women abusing pain relievers and antidepressants.
- 75% of doctor visits for chronic pain result in prescriptions for pain medication.
- About 70% of those taking pain killers get their first dose from a family member or friend. About 20% received pain killer prescriptions from a physician. Fewer than 5% bought prescription painkillers from a drug dealer.
- 10% of high school seniors have admitted to painkiller abuse.
- People can become physically dependent on prescribed drugs in as little as two weeks after taking the first dose.
- In 2002, 360,000 people were admitted to treatment centers for painkiller abuse. That number rose to 973,000 just three years ago.
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