Prescription Drug Abuse

Overview

Narcotic analgesics, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, have become a leading source of drug abuse among teens and young adults.  As prescribers of these painkilling medications, dentists have a key role to play in preventing their diversion, misuse and abuse. 

• Tell patients about the dangers of using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.  (Many don't know that using these drugs other than prescribed is illegal, dangerous and can even be fatal.)  
• Be judicious about prescribing opioid painkillers and, when doing so, counsel patients about how to properly secure, monitor and dispose of their medication(s). 
• Learn to recognize when a patient may be seeking prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.  (Reference your state's prescription drug monitoring program to determine whether a patient may be "doctor shopping.") 
• Urge patients to visit MouthHealthy.org/rxabuse to learn more about keeping prescription drugs from becoming a source of harm. 

The ADA is urging dentists to take advantage of its free continuing education webinars—available through the Prescribers' Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies (PCSS-O)—to refresh their knowledge about opioid prescribing in the context of modern day drug-seeking behavior. 

ADA Communiques

• November 12, 2012—Letter responding to questions from Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV about dentistry's role in preventing the diversion, misuse and abuse of prescription drugs.
• October 15, 2012—Coalition letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the public health impact of rescheduling hydrocodone-containing combination drug products (HCCs) from Schedule III (C-III) to Schedule II (C-II).
• September 25, 2012—Issues Alert urging dentists to counsel their patients about how to keep prescription drugs from becoming a source of harm.
• September 25, 2012—Letter advising state dental societies about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and the resources available for dentists to refresh their knowledge about opioid prescribing.
• September 25, 2012—Letter expressing support for the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative 2012.
• September 25, 2012—Letter expressing support for the Partnership at DrugFree.org's Medicine Abuse Project.
• September 25, 2012—ADA News article on professional opportunities for dentists to help prevent prescription drug abuse. 
• September 25, 2012 — Press release  on efforts to help prevent prescription drug abuse.   
• September 25, 2012 — Letter advising state dental societies about National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day and the resources available for dentists to refresh their knowledge about opioid prescribing. 
• September 25, 2012 — Letter expressing support for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative 2012.  
• September 25, 2012 — Letter expressing support for the Partnership at DrugFree.org’s Medicine Abuse Project.  
• August 2, 2012 — Letter urging state dental societies to consider planning (or participating in) community events in observance of National Recovery Month in September. 
• August 2, 2012 — Letter expressing support for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Recovery Month 2012.

Campaigns & Initiatives

• Medicine Abuse Project
• National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative
• National Recovery Month
• Prescribers' Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies (PCSS-O)
• Campaign to End Rx Abuse

ADA Policies, Statements & Guidelines

• Statement on the Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Dental Pain
• Statement on Alcoholism and Other Substance Use Disorders
• Statement on the Provision of Dental Treatment for Patients with Substance Use Disorders
• Statement on Alcohol and Other Substance Use by Pregnant and Postpartum Patients
• Guidelines Related to Alcohol, Nicotine, and/or Drug Use by Child or Adolescent Patients 

ADA Resources

• Dentist Health & Wellness
• Oral Health Topics: Drug Use 
• Advocacy: Substance Use Disorders
• MouthHealthy.org: Prescription Drug Abuse

Additional Resources

• Partnership at DrugFree.org
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
• Alliance of States with Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

Contact Us

For additional information, please contact:

Washington Office
1111 14th Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202.898.2400
Fax: 202.898.2437
E-mail: govtpol@ada.org

Footnotes
1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings (2011): Figure 2.1, Past Month Illicit Drug Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older: 2010, 12.  Back.

2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings (2011): Figure 5.1, First Specific Drug Associated with Initiation of Illicit Drug Use among Past Year Illicit Drug Initiates Aged 12 or Older: 2010, 48-49. Back.

3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings (2011): 25. Back.