Prescription Medication Sharing Among Adolescents: Prevalence, Risks, and Outcomes

Received 2 April 2009; accepted 16 June 2009. published online 03 August 2009.

Refers to article:

Prescription Drug Use by Adolescents: What We Are Learning and What We Still Need to Know
Lloyd D. Johnston
Journal of Adolescent Health
December 2009 (Vol. 45, Issue 6, Pages 539-540)
Full Text | Full-Text PDF (196 KB)

Abstract

We interviewed 594 adolescents throughout the United States. One in five reported sharing prescription medication. Of these, less than half received instructions, many delayed professional care, few informed providers, and a third reported experiencing side effects. Efforts to reduce medication sharing prevalence and risks among adolescents may be justified.

Keywords: Prescription medication sharing, Loaning, Borrowing, Diversion, Prevlaence, Risks, Adolescents

a The Academic Edge, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana

b North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Address correspondence to: Richard C. Goldsworthy, Ph.D., Academic Edge, Inc., 108 E. 14th Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47408.

PII: S1054-139X(09)00235-3

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.06.002

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