Non-medical use of prescription drugs among Mississippi youth: Constitutional, psychological, and family factors

ObjectiveThe non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) among youth is a significant public health concern, ranking as the second most frequently used class of drug in youth after marijuana. Given the complex and multiple pathways that may lead to NMUPD in youth, this study examines predictors of NMUPD across constitutional, psychological, and family/peer domains.MethodAn ethnically diverse sample of 6790 youth in the 6th–12th grades enrolled in public schools throughout Mississippi completed a battery of questionnaires as part of a broader school-based mental health screening initiative in Mississippi (Behavioral Vital Signs Project).ResultsThe lifetime prevalence rate of NMUPD in our sample was 6.5%. Pain medications were the most commonly used (57%), followed by benzodiazepines (44%), prescription stimulants (e.g., Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Dexedrine; 37%), SSRIs (29%), and antipsychotics (24%). Almost a quarter of NMUPD youth used these drugs for 10 days or more during the 30-day period prior to completing the survey, and 8% reported daily use. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that race; grade level; anxiety, mood, and suicide-related symptoms; and substance use involvement significantly increased risk for NMUPD in youth.ConclusionsNMUPD among youth is a clinically-relevant and multi-determined phenomenon. Findings from this study identify factors relevant to understanding youth NMUPD and also highlight the need for additional research and targeted prevention and intervention programs for NMUPD among youth.

► We examined nonmedical prescription drug use (NMUPD) among Mississippi youth.
► The lifetime prevalence rate of NMUPD in our sample was 6.5%.
► Race, grade, anxiety, mood, and substance use increased risk for NMUPD in youth.
► NMUPD is a clinically-relevant and multi-determined phenomenon.