Drug Abuse Statistics

The front page of DrugAbuseStatistics.org features the most noteworthy drug abuse data, including overdose deaths, demographics, mental health, drug abuse treatment programs, and the cost of the War on Drugs.

Key Findings

Drug Overdose Death Statistics | Teenage Drug Use Statistics | Marijuana Addiction Statistics | Opioid Crisis Statistics| Marijuana Incarceration | Fentanyl Abuse Statistics | Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics | Average Cost of Drug Rehab | Alcohol Abuse Statistics | Heroin Statistics | Drug-Related Crime Statistics | Alcohol-Related Deaths

Substance Abuse Statistics

Among Americans aged 12 years and older, 47.7 million were current illegal drug users (used within the last 30 days) as of 2023.

• 16.8% of Americans 12 and over used drugs in the last month, a 1.9% increase year-over-year (YoY).
• 70.5 million or 24.9% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year.
• 145.1 million people aged 12 and over have illicitly used drugs in their lifetime.
• Usage among people aged 12 and over was up 0.3% YoY.
• 134.7 million Americans 12 and have consumed alcohol in the past month.
• 28.9 million or 21.5% of Americans who have consumed alcohol in the past month have an alcohol use disorder.
• 64.4 million people have used tobacco or nicotine vaping products within the past month.
• 38.6% of illegal drug users have a drug disorder.
• 21.6% of those with drug disorders have an opioid disorder; this includes prescription pain relievers or “painkillers” and heroin).

Drug Abuse Demographics

Drug abuse and substance disorders are more likely to affect young males.

• On average, 19.1% of males and 14.6% of females used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs over the last month.
• 22.4% of people in non-metropolitan, rural counties used illegal drugs compared to 25.3% of people in larger metropolitan counties.
• Drug use is highest among persons between the ages of 18-25 at 39% compared to persons aged 26 and older, at 23.9%.
• Users who try an illegal drug before age 15 are 6.5 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who wait until age 21 or later.
• 36.8% of young people use an illegal drug by the time they reach 12th grade; other users within the last 30 days include:
  • 5.4% of 8^th graders.
  • 10.0% of 10^th graders.
  • 16.5% of 12^th graders.

For more information, see our report on teen drug use.

Opioid Abuse

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized expansion of Medicare coverage to include opioid treatment programs delivering MAT (medication-assisted-treatment) effective Jan. 1, 2020.

• 8.9 million or 3.4% of Americans aged 12 and older misuse opioids at least once over a 12-month period.
• Usership has remained consistent from 2021 to 2023, with about 3.2% of Americans 12 or older misusing opioids.
• 5.9 million or 2.1% individuals 12 and over qualify as having an opioid use disorder.
• 5.3 million or 90.0% of opioid misusers use prescription pain relievers.
• 660,000 or 7.4% of opioid misusers abuse heroin; 336,000 or 3.8% use heroin and prescriptions.
• Hydrocodone is the most popular prescription opioid, with 3.6 million misusers.
• Taking opioids for a period longer than 3 months increases the risk of addiction 15 times (most persons in acute pain need 7 days’ worth).
• The national opioid prescription rate peaked in 2012 with over 255 million prescriptions, an average of 81.3 prescriptions per 100 persons.
• In 2015, opioids were still being prescribed at a rate that would medicate every American around the clock (5mg of hydrocodone every 4 hours) for 3 weeks.
• By 2018, the number had declined to 51.4 prescriptions per 100 persons.
• In 3.6% of US counties, there are still enough opioid prescriptions dispensed for every resident to have one.
• In 2023, 39.1% of Americans obtained their illegal pain medication from a friend or relative.
• Between 2016 and 2017, global opium production jumped 65% to 10,500 tons.
• In Afghanistan alone, production reached 9,000 tons/year, an increase of 87%.
• More than 75% of global opium poppy cultivation occurs in Afghanistan.
• In 2018, the most common type of substance exposure reported to poison control centers was illegal or misused prescription opioids, with nearly 284,000 cases of exposure:
  • 44% of cases involved children under the age of 5.
  • 5,300 of cases involved heroin and fentanyl exposures.
  • Over a 7-year period, the exposure of children under 5 to marijuana increased by 148%.
  • Over a 9-year period, exposure to prescription opioids increased annually by 93%.

For more information, see our report on the opioid epidemic.

Drug-Related Deaths

Accidental drug overdose is a leading cause of death among persons under the age of 45.

• About 107,941 drug overdose deaths occur in the U.S. in 2022.
• In 2020, the number of overdose deaths increased by an annual rate of 31.0%.
• From 2013 to 2019, the US saw a 1,040% increase in synthetic opioid (other than methadone) deaths.
• Between 1999-2022, over 720,000 people died of opioid overdoses in the US.
• In 2023, 75.6%, or 79,358,of drug overdose deaths were opioid-related, including:
  • 72,776 deaths were fentanyl-related.
  • 13,026 deaths were prescription- opioid-related.
  • 3,984 deaths were heroin-related.
• Drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and tramadol increased by 4.1% between 2021 and 2022.
• From 2019 to 2022, U.S. life expectancy declined annually due to opioid overdose deaths, with the reduction growing from 0.52 years in 2019 to 0.67 years in 2022.
• In 2019, clinics who dealt with primary care, pain management or substance abuse disorders saw drastic increases in urine samples testing positive for potentially fatal drugs:
  • 8.4% of urine samples tested positive for meth, compared to 1.4% in 2013.
  • 4.7% of urine samples tested positive for fentanyl compared to 1.1% in 2013.

For more information, see our report on overdose deaths.

Signs of an Overdose

If you know someone who uses drugs, particularly opioids or fentanyl, watch for these overdose symptoms:

• Cold, clammy skin
• Cyanosis
• Pinpoint Pupils
• Slowed respiration
• Unconsciousness*

*If someone is sleeping or unconscious, move them into the recovery position.

Recovery Position

After calling 911, place any unconscious person in the recovery position while you wait for help to arrive. This allows any bodily fluids to drain out of the mouth and nose, reducing the risk of aspiration and asphyxiation.

1. Place the person on their side.
2. Bend their knees (as in the fetal position).
3. Rest their head on top of the arm closest to the floor.

Narcotic Abuse

Also known as opioids, narcotics include opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic versions.

• Naturally sourced opioids are derived from poppies (Papaver somniferum).
• Synthetic opioids are created in laboratories, including methadone, fentanyl, and meperidine.
• Semi-synthetic opioids are synthesized from naturally occurring opium products and include morphine, codeine, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone.
• Street names include Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown Sugar, Junk, Black Tat, Big H, Paregoric, Dover’s Powder, MPTP (New Heroin), Hillbilly Heroin, Lean or Purple Drank, OC, Ox, Oxy, Oxycotton, Sippin Syrup.
• In 2023, 0.2% or 660,000 persons reported using heroin in the past year.
• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug approved by the FDA as an anesthetic and for pain relief. It is also one of the most abused and dangerous narcotics today.

For more information about fentanyl, see our report on fentanyl abuse.

Depressant Abuse

Depressants are prescribed to induce sleep, alleviate anxiety and muscle spasms and prevent seizures.

• Early depressants (barbiturates) such as butalbital, phenobarbital, and pentothal are less likely to be prescribed than newer benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Klonopin.
• The depressant Rohypnol is not legal in the US and is commonly used alongside cocaine to drug victims of sexual assault.
• Sedative/hypnotic medications for insomnia include Ambien, Sonata, and Quaalude.
• Street names include Barbs, Benzos, Downers, Georgia Home Boy, GHB, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid X, Nerve Pills, Phennies, R2, Reds, Roofies, Rophies, Tranks, and Yellows.
• In 2021, 1.7% or 4.9 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers or sedatives.

For more information, see our report on prescription drug abuse.

Stimulant Abuse

Stimulants come in both legal and illegal forms. Prescription stimulants include Adderall, Dexedrine, diet aids like Preludin, Fastin, Meridia, and street drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, methcathinone, and other synthetic cathinones known as “bath salts.”

• Amphetamines may also be used to treat ADHD or narcolepsy.
• Street names for stimulants include Bennies, Black Beauties, Cat, Coke, Crank, Crystal, Flake, Ice, Molly, Pellets, R-Ball, Skippy, Snow, Speed, Uppers, and Vitamin R.
• In 2023, 0.9% or 2.6 million persons in the US aged 12 years and older reported meth use in the past year.
• In 2023, 1.8% or 5.0 million persons in the US aged 12 years and older reported having used cocaine in the past year.
• Nearly 1 in 5 drug overdose deaths in 2023 were cocaine-related, with the highest rate of cocaine-related overdoses and deaths occurring among American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
• Between 2003 and 2023, the rate of cocaine-related overdose deaths increased from 1.8 to 8.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
• Most meth sold in the US is manufactured and distributed by Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
• The highest prevalence of amphetamine use occurs in North America; the largest number of users are found in East and South East Asia.
• In 2000, there estimated number of cocaine-related deaths worldwide was less than 19,000, rising to more than 26,000 by 2019.
• Most cocaine is sourced from Columbia which produces 90% of cocaine powder sold in the US, predominantly entering the country through Mexico.
• Synthetic cathinones are sold as cheap alternatives to meth and cocaine, with some far more powerful and harmful than cocaine.
• MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone) is the most commonly found synthetic cathinone found in emergency room patients who took “bath salts”.

Commonly abused prescription stimulants include:

• Adderall – A popular amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, 2.5% of 12^th graders have admitted to using the drug for nonmedical reasons in the past year. Abuse of the drug leads can cause serious side effects including insomnia, hallucinations, and convulsions.
• Ritalin – A brand name for methylphenidate, nonmedical use of the drug is illegal and is believed to serve as a gateway drug to eventual cheaper, harder drugs like meth. Serious side effects can include psychotic episodes and cardiovascular complications.
• Concerta – A popular methylphenidate drug, most teens who use the drug recreationally get it from a friend who has a prescription for it. Snorting crushed pills has become popular among teens because snorting amplifies the effects of the high. Dangers of nonmedical use of Concerta can include disrupted sleep patterns, vision disturbances, and stroke.
• Vyvanse – Initially billed as a medication with low abuse potential (and intended for younger children) nonmedical use of the drug has nonetheless pervaded among adolescents. Serious side effects include abnormalities in brain chemistry, delirium, and seizures.
• Modafinil – This eugeroic medication is often prescribed for narcolepsy but has gained incredible popularity among adolescents for its ability to shut down the body’s need for sleep (the perfect solution for all-night cramming before tests). It is often referred to as its brand name “Provigil.” In some cases, Provigil abuse can lead to life-threatening skin conditions and recurring suicidal thoughts.

Hallucinogen Abuse

Hallucinogens are both naturally occurring (plants and fungi) and synthetic. As most hallucinogens have no accepted medical use for treatment in the US, they are illegal.

• Hallucinogens include ketamine, mushrooms (Psilocybin), LSD, and MDMA (ecstasy).
• Common street names include Acid, Blotter, Cubes, Fry, Mind Candy, Mushrooms or Shrooms, Special K, STP, X, and XTC.
• LSD is one of the most dangerous hallucinogens with the greatest potential to cause serious long-term damage.

Marijuana Abuse

Marijuana is classified under the Controlled Substances Act as a hallucinogen. Marijuana is a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis sativa plant with the main constituent THC ((delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol) believed to be the primary ingredient producing the psychoactive effect.

• In 2023, 61.8 million Americans aged 12 or older, or 21.8% of the population, used marijuana at least once over a 12-month period.
• Usership in Americans aged 12 or older increased by 16.2% from 2021 to 2023.
• Marijuana is illegal under Federal law but 24 states have legalized its recreational use. Within those states, cannabis tax revenue has grown from $68.5 million in 2014 to $4.19 billion in 2023.
• Street names for marijuana include: Aunt Mary, BC Bud, Blunts, Boom, Chronic, Dope, Gangster, Ganja, Grass, Hash, Herb, Hydro, Indo, Joint, Kif, Mary Jane, Mota, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Weed, and Yerba.
• 44% of those who have used marijuana in the past month may have some degree of marijuana use disorder and 1 in 6 users who start using it before age 18 become addicted.
• In 2023, 39.5% of college students used marijuana, with past 30 day cannabis use increasing from 16.1% in 1988 to 26.1% in 2023 among this group.
• Marijuana is frequently used in a polysubstance situation where multiple drugs are taken together, alcohol in particular:
  • Alcohol and marijuana together is known as a “crossfade,” and will increase alcohol impairment and speed up the absorption of THC into the body.
  • Polysubstance consumption of drugs can result in dependency/addiction, high-risk behaviors, psychopathology onset or other poor mental health outcomes.
  • In users with higher risk factors such as preexisting health conditions, polysubstance consumption can be extremely dangerous.
• Marijuana concentrates or “dabs” can contain 50-90% THC, which could be higher than 4 times the amount of THC in marijuana. These concentrates can cause serious harm to individuals unaware of the level of THC they are consuming or from the toxic chemicals produced during the process, such as benzene and methacrolein.
• Chronic cannabis use can lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), which can cause numerous health problems.
• Synthetic cannabinoids (street names K2, Spice) are marketed as a cheap alternative to marijuana but are in fact dangerous or even life-threatening.
• In 2013, Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana. Since legalization:
  • Traffic fatalities involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana increased by 138% from 2013 to 2020.
  • Suicides where toxicology tests indicated marijuana use rose from 14% to 29% between 2013 and 2020.
  • For every $1.00 in marijuana tax revenue, Colorado spends nearly $4.50 on marijuana related costs including healthcare, education, and impaired driving.

For more information, see our report on marijuana addiction.

Alcohol Abuse

Though legal, alcohol kills nearly 178,000 Americans every year.

• 84.1% of people ages 18 or older report drinking alcohol at some point in their lifetime
• 67.1% report drinking in the past year
• 51.6% report drinking in the past month
• Among the 29.8 million individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), less than 8% receive treatment.
• Alcohol use among 12- to 17-year-olds remained stable at about 16.8% between 2022 and 2023.

For more information, see our report on alcohol abuse and alcohol-related deaths.

Dependence, Addiction, & Mental Health

Non-sanctioned, non-medical, or non-prescribed use of these controlled substances is considered drug abuse, often leading to Substance Use Disorder (SUD). These substances are likely to create physical or psychological dependence, contributing to concurrent mental health conditions such as Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Major Depressive Episode (MDE).

• 84.5 million or 32.8% of adults over the age of 18 have either an SUD or AMI.
• SUDs affect over 48.5 million Americans aged 12 and over.
• Most common disorders are related to alcohol, marijuana, and prescription pain relievers.
• Major depressive episodes affect 4.5 million adolescents and 4.6 million young adults nationwide.
• 58.7 million or 22.8% of adults over the age of 18 have AMI.
• 14.6 million or 5.7% of adults have a serious mental illness.

Adolescent Drug Abuse & Mental Health

856,000 or 3.3% of all adolescents in the US have had both an SUD and an MDE within the last year.

• 3.3% of all adolescents had both an SUD and MDE resulting in severe impairment.
• 7.1% of adolescents with MDE are reported to binge drink in comparison to 3.1% of adolescents without MDE.
• 28.4% of adolescents with MDE are reported to use illicit drugs in comparison to 11.6% of adolescents without MDE.
• Among adolescents with both an MDE and SUD, 71.1% received either substance abuse treatment at a specialty facility or mental health services.

Adult Drug Abuse & Mental Health

In 2023, 20.4 million or 7.9% of all adults aged 18 and older in the US had both AMI and at least one SUD in the past year.

• 6.8 million, or 2.6% of all adults in the US, had a co-occurring SMI and SUD in the past year.
• 26.7% of adults with AMI and 29.4% of adults with SMI were binge drinkers.
• 51.9% of adults with SMI 42.4% of adults with AMI used illegal drugs in 2023.
• Among adults with AMI and SUD, around 62.4% received either mental health care or specialty substance abuse treatment
• 37.6% of adults with AMD and SUD received no care.

Drug Abuse Among Veterans

Mental illness and substance abuse (comorbidity) is relatively common among military veterans.

• 19.1% of veterans struggle with illicit drug use compared to 18.7% of the general population in the US over age 18.
• 25.2% of veterans struggle with binge alcohol use compared to 24.3% of the general population in the US over age 18.
• 7% of veterans have an issue with both alcohol and illegal drugs.
• 4.7% of the veteran population has a serious mental illness compared to 5.7% of adults over 18.
• Marijuana and prescription pain pills are the most commonly abused by veterans.
• 598,000 veterans misuse prescription pain relievers compared to 66,000 who used heroin.
• 51.3% of veterans between the ages of 18-25 had SUD or AMI.
• In 2018, 10.1% of veterans between the ages of 18-25 misuse prescription pain relievers compared to 6.5% of the general population in the US in the same age group.

Drug Abuse Among Demographics

Statistics indicate that some demographics and communities face elevated risks of drug abuse and drug disorders.

• Persons previously abusing drugs and recently released from prison are at the highest risk for overdose as their tolerance to the drug has dropped while being incarcerated.
• “Club drugs” such as ecstasy, meth, cocaine, ketamine, LSD, and GHB are primarily used in higher-income settings by young people.
• Inhalants such as shoe polish, spray paint, gasoline, lighter fluid and glue (#11) are commonly misused by lower-income adults, adolescents, and people living in rural areas due to their low cost and availability.

Drug Abuse Among Age Groups

While younger people are more likely to use drugs, the rate of drug use among people over 40 is increasing faster than it is among younger age groups.

• Between 2022 and 2023, the drug related death rate increased by 2.3% for adults aged 55-64 and by 11.4% for adults 65 and older.
• Adults aged 35-44 account for the highest share of opioid overdose deaths at 27.3%, followed by those 55 and older at 23.9%.
• 57% of drug deaths among 65-plus users involved opioids and 39% involved stimulants.
• Nearly 24% of college students indicated they use illicit drugs.
• 97.2% of college students who use illegal drugs use marijuana, 1.1% use cocaine and 6.3% use hallucinogens.

Drug Abuse by Sex or Gender

Most data resources use the terms sex and gender interchangeably. Unfortunately, few statistics are yet available that explore trends among gender identities.

Drug abuse and misuse of prescription drugs is generally more prevalent in males than in females.

• 27.1% of males have used drugs in the past year.
• 22.7% of females have used drugs in the past year.
• 1.2% of males abuse opioids; 0.9% of females abuse opioids.
• 0.2% of men use heroin; 0.2% of women use heroin.
• 3.2% of males and 2.9% of females misuse prescription pain killers.
• 2.4% of males and 1.2% of females use cocaine.
• 1.2% of males and 0.6% of females use methamphetamines.
• 1.4% of males and 1.3% of females misuse prescription stimulants.
• 23.9% of males and 19.8% of females use marijuana.
• 1.4% of males and 1.9% of females misuse prescription tranquilizers and/or prescription sedatives.

Women & Drug Abuse

Women are more likely to do drugs with an intimate partner, whereas men more likely to do drugs with other male friends.

• 45.5% of individuals in drug treatment are women.
• 43.4 million women in the US have a mental illness or SUD:
  • 27.2% struggle with illegal drugs.
  • 7.1% struggle with both illegal drugs and alcohol.
  • 8.2% of women struggle with both a mental illness and SUD.
• 4.2 million women had a prescription opioid abuse problem compared to 283,000 who were using heroin:
  • 1.58 million misused Hydrocodone.
  • 1.27 million misused Oxycodone.
  • 283,000 misused Fentanyl.
• Substance abuse disorders are associated with increased suicide risk among women. In 2020:
  • 2.9 million women with SUD over the age of 18 had serious thoughts about suicide.
  • 786,000 had made a plan to commit suicide.
  • 410,000 had attempted suicide.
  • 42.4% of women who struggled with both SUD and AMI had received no treatment for substance abuse or mental health services.
• The participation by women in the drug trade is predominantly affected by socioeconomic vulnerability, trafficking, violence, intimate relationships, and economic associations.
• Drug use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can pose significant risks to the unborn child, resulting in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), birth defects, or miscarriage.
• In 2014 there were 4.3 times as many babies born with NAS than in 2004.

Drug Abuse Among LGBT+

10.3 million LGBT+ adults had a substance use disorder and/or mental illness in 2020.

• 59.7% of LGBT+ adults with a SUD struggled with illicit drugs.
• 63.8% of LGBT+ adults with a SUD struggled with alcohol abuse.
• 23.5% of LGBT+ adults with a SUD struggled with both illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.
• 1.9 million LGBT+ adults experienced both a SUD and SMI.

Drug Abuse Among States

Fentanyl and methamphetamine are the most dangerous drug threats the United States has ever faced.

• West Virginia has the nation’s highest rate of overdose deaths at 80.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
• District of Columbia has the nation’s second highest rate of overdose deaths at 64.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
• Tennessee has the nation’s third highest rate of overdose deaths at 56.0 per 100,000 people.
• Delaware has the nation’s fourth highest rate of overdose deaths at 55.3 per 100,000 people.
• Louisiana has the fifth highest rate of overdose deaths at 54.5 per 100,000.

The Consequences of Drug Abuse

The cost of drug abuse in the US is nearly $820 billion per year, taking into account crime, healthcare needs, lost work productivity, and other impacts on society.

• $193 billion was incurred in overall costs for illegal drugs in addition to $78.5 billion for prescription opioids.
• $11 billion was incurred in healthcare costs related to the use of illegal drugs and $161 billion for prescription opioids.
• In 2021, nearly 600,000 hospitalizations occurred due to nonfatal drug poisonings or overdoses, including cases that were unintentional, of undetermined intent, or intentional self-harm.
• 967,615 emergency room visits occurred for nonfatal drug poisonings or overdoses in 2016 with the most patients experiencing opioid poisoning.
• New psychoactive substances (NPS) enter the market each year. Between 2013 and 2023, the number of known reported NPS increased from 449 to 641.
• Drug abuse often results in comorbidity; nearly 45% of persons who have substance abuse disorder also experience mental illness.

For more information, see our report on drug-related crime statistics.

Heightened Risk of Disease

High-risk behaviors and drug abuse also result in much higher chances of contracting viral infections such as hepatitis or HIV.

• Drug abuse affects symptoms and adversely changes the outcomes of infectious diseases.
• Abusers who inject their drugs account for 7% of HIV diagnoses.
• In 2022, 4% of HIV cases (1,300) among men were attributed to injection drug use.
• In 2022, 3% of HIV cases (1,000) among women were attributed to injection drug use.
• 32 children were diagnosed with perinatal HIV in 2019.
• 10,100 adults were living with perinatal HIV in 2016.

Drug Abuse Financial Costs

In 2024, the National Drug Control Budget requested $44.5 billion across agencies focused on expanding efforts to reverse opioid overdoses, disrupt the drug supply chain, and provide support for prevention, treatment, and recovery.

• $459.0 million to expand harm reduction interventions.
• $21.8 billion to expand access to treatment for SUD and overdose prevention.
• $4.1 billion to increase access to treatment SUD in prisons settings.
• $2.9 billion to provide support for preventing substance abuse and supporting recovery services.
• $3.3 billion to combat drug trafficking networks.
• Funds were also requested to support international drug control and interdiction, reduce fentanyl and synthetic drug production and trafficking, and combat violent crime.

For more information, see our report on the average cost of drug rehab.

Drug Abuse Treatment & Prevention

Beginning in the early 2010s, states that began to enhance their prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) saw drastic results.

• Between 2010 and 2015, 62% of the counties in Kentucky saw a decrease in the number of opioids prescribed per person.
• In 2010, Florida stopped health care providers from dispensing prescription opioid pain medication from their office locations alongside a PDMP and in 2012, marked a 52.1% decline in oxycodone overdose deaths.
• In 2013, New York required prescribers of medication to check the state’s PDMP before prescribing opioids and marked a 75% drop in patients who went to multiple doctors/prescribers for the same drugs.
• Between 2011-2022, there was a 44.4% annual decline in nationwide opioid prescriptions.
• 2.3 million Americans received medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioids in 2023.
• In 2023, nearly 54.2 million people aged 12 and older needed substance abuse treatment.
• Nearly 2.1 million, or 5.3% of those with a SUD who did not receive treatment, believed they needed it.
• 12.8 million received substance use treatment.
• 2.9 million, or 1 in 10 adolescents aged 12-17 needed substance abuse treatment; 38.9% of those, or 1.1 million received treatment.
• 9.8 million, or 1 in 4, young adults aged 18-25 needed substance abuse treatment; 16.6% of those, or 1.6 million received treatment.
• 41.5 million, or 1 in 5 adults aged 26 or older needed substance abuse treatment; 24.2% of those, or 10 million received treatment.

National Take Back Day

The DEA promotes National Take Back Days, encouraging consumers to hand over their expired and unused medications. Take Back Day was canceled in April 2020 due to lockdowns.

• Consumers hand over 738,390 pounds of medication on an average National Take Back Day.
• An average of 4,443 police precincts participate in each DEA National Take Back Day.
• There are an average of 4,999 drop-off sites.
• Each drop-off site collects an average 147.7 pounds of medication.
• There have been 27 total National Take Back Days, which have collected 19,200,440 pounds of medication.
• The October 2024 National Take Back Day had 0.66% fewer drop-off sites than the previous year but collected 5.01% more medication by weight.

Drug Regulation & Scheduling

Drug scheduling is an attempt to regulate drugs and drug sales. Schedules categorize drugs by their potential for medical use or for abuse. The potential for bodily damage is not a factor. In other words, the likelihood that a user may overdose or develop health issues has no impact on its classification as a Schedule I – V drug.

Drug scheduling and definitions are part of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Schedule I

Schedule I drugs have no acceptable medical use per the DEA. These drugs also have a high potential for abuse; this may or may not be due to addictive properties. Drugs that are considered “gateway drugs” (that is, substances that are often precursors to abuse of other, possibly more dangerous drugs) or deemed a public health risk may also be listed under Schedule I.

There are 260 drugs classified as Schedule I. Some examples of Schedule I drugs include ecstasy, heroin, synthetic heroin, LSD, marijuana, and peyote.

Schedule II

Drugs with a high risk of abuse and accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Some of these include drugs that were once common prescriptions, such as Laudanaum.

There are 70 drugs classified as Schedule II. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.

Schedule III

Drugs “with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependance” are classified as Schedule III. This category includes dozens of hormones, synthetic hormones, and hormone derivatives.

There are 125 drugs classified as Schedule III. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are anabolic steroids, codeine (< 900 ml per dosage), and ketamine.

Schedule IV

These drugs have a relatively low potential for dependence and abuse. Most Schedule IV drugs are prescription medications, some of which have been banned by the Food and Drug Administration.

There are about 80 drugs categorized as Schedule IV. Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are narcotics, muscle relaxants, and commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and depression, such as alprazolam.

Schedule V

Schedule V drugs have little-to-no risk of dependence or abuse. These substances are not typically available over-the-counter.

Fourteen (14) drugs are classified as Schedule V. One example of a Schedule V drugs are cough medicines with 100 to 200 ml of codeine per dose.

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