This year’s national study data on American teens confirms that one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription (Rx) drug at least once in their lifetime – a dramatic 33 percent increase over the past five years. The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) also found troubling data on teen misuse or abuse of prescription stimulants. One in eight teens (13 percent) now reports that they have taken the stimulant Ritalin or Adderall when it was not prescribed for them, at least once in their lifetime.

Contributing to this disturbing trend in teen medicine misuse and abuse are the lax attitudes of parents and caregivers. They are missing key opportunities to effectively communicate the dangers of Rx medicine misuse and abuse to their kids, while not safeguarding and disposing of their medications properly at home.

To read the full press release, click here.

Download PDF:  PATS 2012 – KEY FINDINGS

Download PDF: PATS 2012- FULL REPORT