279 Perceptions of Sharing Prescribed Controlled Substances Among an Emergency Department Population

Abstract

Non-medical use of prescription medication is a growing epidemic that has been associated with many health concerns. The most common medications used non-medically are opioids and tranquilizers. The source of most prescription medications used non-medically is not from drug dealers or physicians, but from friends and family members of the individual that abuses the medication. Opioids and sedatives are commonly prescribed from the emergency department and the rate of these prescriptions are increasing. In this study, we assess the perceptions of sharing prescribed opioids or sedatives in the emergency department population. This was a prospective observational study that was conducted in the waiting room of a tertiary care level 1 trauma center. Individuals were approached while in the waiting room and chosen randomly based on their seat in the waiting room. A random list of numbers was generated daily. A survey assessing the individual’s perception of sharing controlled substances were distributed utilizing electronic tablets. The study was conducted over a 3-week period. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. There were 263 individuals approached with 217 individuals completing the survey yielding a response rate of 83%. Overall 7% reported sharing prescribed controlled substances with family, 3% reported sharing with friends and 62% reported that they would save their medications for later use. Seventeen percent of individuals thought that it was acceptable to share their prescribed controlled substances and were significantly more likely to share these medications including opioids, prescribed medications for insomnia, and prescribed muscle relaxers with friends or family. Only 25% of responders reported properly disposing of their additional prescribed controlled substances. There was no significant difference in age or sex. In our study 1 of 6 of the ED population sampled reported that they perceived nothing wrong with sharing their prescribed controlled medications with friends or family, and only 25% of the ED population reported correctly disposing of their leftover prescribed controlled substances. Increased efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of sharing prescribed controlled substances and appropriate disposal of controlled substances should be pursued.