Use of the Internet to Obtain Drugs Without a Prescription Among Treatment-Involved Adolescents and Young Adults. Issue 5 (2nd September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Festinger, David S.; Dugosh, Karen L.; Clements, Nicolle; Flynn, Anna B.; Falco, Mathea; McLellan, A. Thomas; Arria, Amelia M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of child & adolescent substance abuse. Volume 25:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 480
• Page End: 486
• Publication Date: 2016-09-02
• Subjects: adolescent -- Internet pharmacies -- prescription drug -- substance abuse; Drug abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Teenagers -- Drug use -- Periodicals; 616.860083
• DOI: 10.1080/1067828X.2015.1103345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-828X

Abstract

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.