It is urgent that parents of teenagers become fully informed on the risks associated with synthetic drugs, also known as “designer drugs.” The United States – especially parents and their teenage children -- face an array of drugs of abuse. Many, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana have confronted us for decades. The federal government has developed programs and initiatives to combat these drugs—to prevent use, treat the addicted, and disrupt production and the marketplace for drugs. But the significant threat to the nation posed by synthetic drugs, especially methamphetamine and MDMA, or “Ecstasy,” is a more recent phenomenon. A related threat is the growth in nonmedical use of pharmaceutical controlled substances. Diversion of these legitimate drugs is fueled in part by easy access over the Internet. The most recent NSDUH and other data indicate that we continue to confront increased use of such drugs, notably pain relievers and tranquilizers. This document recommends some new approaches to address this challenge.
The United States and its parents face an array of drugs of abuse by teenagers and students. Many, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana have confronted us for decades. We have developed programs and initiatives to combat these drugs—to prevent use, treat the addicted, and disrupt production and the marketplace for drugs. The significant threat to the nation posed by synthetic drugs, especially methamphetamine and MDMA, or “Ecstasy,” is a more recent phenomenon. Initial efforts to confront synthetic drugs are already showing results. As demonstrated by the findings of the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (formerly known as the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse) and the 2003 Monitoring the Future study, when we collectively push back, the synthetic drugs threat also will decline.
A related threat is the growth in nonmedical use of pharmaceutical controlled substances. Diversion of these legitimate drugs is fueled in part by easy access over the Internet. The most recent NSDUH and other data indicate that we continue to confront increased use of such drugs, notably pain relievers and tranquilizers. This document recommends some new approaches to address this challenge.
This document is a product of the hard work of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration and several other agencies, and in consultation with various components of the Department of Health and Human Services. We are grateful for their efforts. The Action Plan represents an important step forward in our nation’s effort to control dangerous synthetic drugs and pharmaceutical products and, moreover, in the continued achievement of the objectives set forth in the President’s National Drug Control Strategy.
Date of Report: March 20, 2013
Number of Pages: 74
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