ABUSE OF NARCOTIC PAINKILLERS RISES

WASHINGTON -- More people began using narcotic pain relievers for
nonmedical reasons in the last year surveyed than started using
marijuana or cocaine, according to a report released yesterday by a
Department of Health and Human Services agency.

According to the report, 2.4 million persons 12 years of age or older
initiated nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers in the 12
months prior to the survey, 2.1 million started using marijuana, and
one million began using cocaine.

The report, "Nonmedical Users of Pain Relievers: Characteristics of Recent
Initiates," was released by HHS's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration. The data were extracted from the 2004 Survey on Drug Use and
Health.

More than half the people who initiated nonmedical use of pain
medications, 54.9%, in 2004 were female, the report said.

It said 48% of new initiates used Vicodin, Lortab or Lorcet; 34.3%
used Darvocet, Darvon, or Tylenol with codeine; 20% used Percocet,
Percodan or Tylox; 18.4% used generic hydrocodone; 14.3% used generic
codeine; 8.4% used Oxycontin; and 4.3% used morphine.

"While overall illicit drug use continues to decline among our young
people, we are always paying close attention to the data to identify
any potential areas of concern," said Charles Curi of the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"Abuse of prescription pain medication is dangerous and can lead to
the destructive path of addiction. The initiation rates show we must
continue our efforts to help the public confront and reduce all drug
abuse."