US youth drug abuse starts with painkillers

Overall illicit drug use among teens ages 12-17 is at a five year low, according to the largest and most comprehensive study of drug use in the USA. But when it comes to youth, non-medical use of painkillers continues to be an area of concern, with more recent initiates (2.2 million) than any illicit drug, reveals the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Since 2002, current illicit drug use among 12- to 17-year-olds is down from 11.6% (2002) to 9.8% (2006), marking a cumulative decrease of 16%. In that same time period, current marijuana use also decreased 18% (from 8.2% in 2002 to 6.7% in 2006).