Prescription Drug Abuse: A Serious Problem

Recreational use of prescription drugs is a serious problem with teens and young adults. National studies show that a teen is more likely to have abused a prescription drug than an illegal street drug.

Many teens believe prescription drugs are safe because doctors prescribe them. However, taking drugs for nonmedical reasons to get high or self-medicate can be just as dangerous and addictive as using illegal street drugs.

There are significant health risks in taking prescription drugs without medical supervision. This is why these drugs should only be taken under a doctor’s care and closely monitored to prevent addiction or other issues.

It is very dangerous to take a pill that was not prescribed specifically for you. People can react differently to drugs due to differences in their body chemistry and existing health conditions. A drug that is safe for one person could be harmful or even fatal for someone else.

Prescription drugs are safest when taken only by the person they are prescribed for and at the dosage directed by a doctor.

Because of their potential for abuse and addiction, many prescription drugs are classified by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the same category as opium, heroin and cocaine. This includes stimulants like Ritalin and Dexedrine and painkillers like OxyContin, Demerol and Roxicodone.

Some illegal street drugs were once used or prescribed by doctors or psychiatrists, but were later banned due to their harmful effects. Examples include heroin, cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine.

Abuse of prescription drugs can be even riskier than using illegal drugs. The high potency of some synthetic drugs, such as OxyContin, fentanyl and other opioids, increases the risk of overdose. Deaths from painkiller overdoses have increased to five times higher than they were at the turn of the century.

Many people don’t realize that selling or distributing pharmaceutical drugs without authorization is illegal and carries severe penalties, including fines and jail time. If drug dealing results in death or serious injury, the dealer can face life in prison.

Updated: 2025