This factsheet was developed by the Saskatchewan Rural Youth Healthy Lifestyles and Risk Behaviour Study.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS FACTSHEET:

Non-medical use of prescription and over-the-counter dugs among youth is a growing concern. Some of the more common drugs used this way are drugs prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as Ritalin, opiate-based pain relievers, such as Oxycontin, and sedatives, such as Valium. Youth also report using over-the-counter drugs, such as laxatives, Gravol, cough medicine, and Nytol, for purposes other than which they are intended.

Fewer than 1% of youth reported they used prescription drugs for unintended purposes. These numbers are lower than reported in other studies. Around 10% reported using over-the-counter drugs for unintended purposes.