The National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows a decline in the abuse of prescription pain relievers among Tennessee teenagers, ages 12-17 and young adults, ages 18-25.
A 2010-2011 survey found that nearly 7 percent of teenagers reported using prescription pain relievers. A follow up survey two years later revealed roughly 5 percent of teens were using, reflecting an overall decrease in use by nearly 25 percent.
Among young adults in Tennessee, the reduction in prescription drug use was even more significant.
The survey results among 18-25 year olds showed an overall drop in use of prescription pain relievers by approximately 28 percent.
“These survey results are very encouraging, as abuse of prescription pain relievers can result in a lifelong addiction and in some cases an accidental overdose or early death,” said E. Douglas Varney, commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. “We still have a significant problem in Tennessee. And even with impressive data like this, there are many teenagers abusing illicit drugs for recreation or as a way of self-managing an underlying mental health issue or major depression.”
Based on these findings, Tennessee’s ranking among the 50 states is showing significant improvement. Among use of pain relievers by teens, the state’s ranking has improved from 37th to 25th in the nation, and among young adults it’s improved from 45th to 26th.
Key initiatives that officials said contributed to the decrease in the abuse of pain relievers include:
- Tennessee’s passage of the Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2012, which requires doctors to register with and check the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database before prescribing opioids or benzodiazepine drugs, and includes key provisions to increase the timeliness and accuracy of information reported into the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database;
- The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Division of Substance Abuse Services funds coalitions across the State of Tennessee to reduce misuse of prescription pain relievers in their community. They work to come up with community-specific plans for reducing prescription drug use. The strategies include: physician training events, prescription disposal events, public awareness campaigns that demonstrate the problem, collaboration with other state agencies, and increasing the number of Rx Drug Drop Boxes in the state, where people can dispose of unwanted medications, up from 36 in 2012 to 104 in 2014; and
- Community coalitions in Tennessee working to reduce non-medical use of prescription pain relievers.
In an effort to help young people understand the impact drug abuse can have, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is urging Tennessee educators, students, parents and school communities across the state to join in the January 2016 National Drugs Facts Week to help shatter the myths on the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
“The facts about teen drug abuse in Tennessee are alarming,” said Comm. Varney. “We know that about a third of high school seniors across the country report using an illicit drug sometime in the past year, and more than ten percent report non-medical use of narcotic painkillers. Drug and alcohol use can very easily put a teenager’s health and life in jeopardy. Many teens are just not aware of the risks.”
National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week, organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, offers an opportunity for students to join school programs and activities that give them the space and freedom to ask questions and get the facts about drugs and alcohol.
In January 2015 a number of Tennessee schools and organizations registered and held events during National Drugs Facts Week including: Concord Academy in Memphis, Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Hamilton County Coalition in Chattanooga, SADD Club in Germantown, Clinton High School SADD Club, Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition, Anti-Drug Coalition of Tipton County, Franklin High School, and the UT College of Pharmacy Generation Rx in Memphis.
To join National Drugs Facts Week, visit the National Drugs Facts Week site which has the tools and resources to plan, promote, and host an event. Included are: program ideas, a how-to guide on planning an event, free resource materials, and a place to register an event.
“We want our teenagers and young adults to have the opportunity to learn what science has taught us about drug abuse, alcohol, and addiction, “ said Comm. Varney. “There are so many myths about drugs and alcohol cluttering our pop culture today. This is a chance for teens to get honest answers so they can make informed decisions and share what they know with classmates, friends, and family.”