Abstract
BACKGROUND: Abuse of prescription drugs is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. In response, hundreds of federal, state and local interventions have been implemented. We describe trends in the diversion and abuse of prescription opioids using data through 2013. METHODS: We used 5 different programs from the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction Related Surveillance (RADARS) System to describe trends in diversion and abuse of 6 opioid analgesics: oxycodone, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, morphine, and tramadol. The programs include law enforcement agencies, poison centers, substance abuse treatment centers and college students. RESULTS: RADARS System programs reported large increases in opioid diversion and abuse rates from 2002 to 2010, but then rates flattened or decreased 2011 through 2013. Poison Center fatality rates also rose and fell with a similar pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Considered with other data sources, it seems possible that the long period of increasing prescription opioid abuse may be abating. The reasons for this observation are unclear but generate several alternatives that could affect the public policy debate regarding prescription opioid analgesics. Language: en
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