Use of the Internet to Obtain Drugs Without a Prescription Among Treatment-involved Adolescents and Young Adults

Overview

Journal J Child Adolesc Subst Abuse

Specialties Pediatrics
Psychiatry

Date 2017 Feb 15

PMID 28194089

Citations 6

Authors

David S Festinger

Karen L Dugosh

Nicolle Clements

Anna B Flynn

Mathea Falco

A Thomas McLellan

Amelia M Arria

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Nonmedical use of prescription drugs is common and poses risks such as injury, overdose, and development of abuse and dependence. Internet pharmacies offer prescription drugs without a prescription, creating a source of illicit drugs accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. We examined this issue in a convenience sample of 1,860 adolescents and young adults from 24 residential and outpatient treatment programs. Few individuals obtained drugs from the Internet (n = 26, 2.3%). Pain relievers were the most frequently purchased type of drug. The majority of adolescents and young adult online purchasers made the purchases from their own or a friend's house.

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