RT Journal
A1 Banta-Green CJ
T1 ADolescent abuse of pharmaceutical opioids raises questions about prescribing and prevention
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2012
FD September 1
VO 166
IS 9
SP 865
OP 866
DO 10.1001/archpediatrics.2012.590
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2012.590
AB 
The McCabe et al article explores the prevalence of exposure to opioids via prescriptions and the nonmedical use of prescription opioids (and the overlap) and associations with other substance use as well as routes of administration, diversion, and motives for use. Overall, 9.3% of high school seniors reported only medical use of opioids, 8.6% reported nonmedical use only or prior to medical use, and 4.3% reported medical use prior to nonmedical use. McCabe et al highlight that among this last group 80% reported nonmedical use of opioids prescribed to them; in absolute terms, that is 3.4% of nonmedical users reporting nonmedical use of opioids previously prescribed to them. So, abuse of opioids prescribed to the youth abusing them is not the driving factor, though it is a contributor. McCabe et al have reported previously in the Archives3 about diversion by misusers, and clearly, diversion is a major issue.