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Prescription Drug Abuse

Abuse of prescription painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants is a rising cause of mortality in developed countries. RAND research examines prescription sharing, prevention efforts, prevalence and risk factors, and opportunities to gauge markets for diverted pharmaceuticals.

Journal Article

Journal Article

Impact of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) on Opioid Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries in 10 U.S. States

Implementation of a prescription drug monitoring program in 10 states was associated with a reduction in overall volume of opioid drugs prescribed.

Jun 14, 2017
Multimedia

Funding Considerations in the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic

Testimony presented before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on April 5, 2017.

Apr 5, 2017
Testimony

Funding Considerations in the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic

Recent strategies to combat the opioid epidemic have had some success. But much more research is needed to understand their effectiveness. For pressing funding decisions, policymakers should focus on tactics that address both prescription opioid and heroin use.

Apr 5, 2017
Report

Preventing, Identifying, and Treating Prescription Drug Misuse Among Active-Duty Service Members

This report presents the framework of an analytic tool that can help the military predict future trends in PDM based on current demographics of active-duty service members and rates of injury and prescribing of prescription drugs.

Jan 4, 2017
News Release

News Release

Physicians with Waivers to Prescribe Buprenorphine for Opioid Addiction Have Capacity to Treat More Patients

Many American physicians who prescribe buprenorphine to treat individuals addicted to opioids are prescribing substantially below the patient limits allowed by law. More than 20 percent of waivered physicians treated only three or fewer patients.

Sep 20, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Opioid Analgesic and Benzodiazepine Prescribing Among Medicaid-enrollees with Opioid Use Disorders: The Influence of Provider Communities

A substantial number of Medicaid enrollees were able to fill prescriptions for opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, or both in the year following diagnosis for an opioid use disorder.

Aug 23, 2016
Content

Drug Policy Research Center Hot Topic: Heroin and Other Opioids

A list of articles and studies by the RAND Drug Policy Research Center that will be useful for those making decisions about policies for heroin and other opioids.

May 26, 2016
Blog

Conversations at RAND: A Sobering Look at the Opioid Epidemic

Opioid overdoses were the greatest cause of accidental death in America in 2014. A panel discussion at RAND addressed the epidemic, including societal attitudes toward pain and addiction, poor understanding of the mechanics of addiction itself, economic drivers, legal responses, and treatment approaches.

May 13, 2016
Multimedia

Combating the Opioid Drug Epidemic

In this Events @ RAND podcast, our panel of experts focuses on the current opioid abuse epidemic, discussing prevention, treatment, and recovery options.

May 12, 2016
Journal Article

A Systematic Review of the Prevention and Treatment of Prescription Drug Misuse

Guidance on how to prevent or treat the misuse of prescription drugs in the U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Administration is similar to directives outside the military system, and tends to focus on opioids.

May 9, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

A Computer-Assisted Motivational Social Network Intervention to Reduce Alcohol, Drug and HIV Risk Behaviors Among Housing First Residents

This pilot study will assess whether coupling social network visualizations with motivational interviewing can help Housing First participants transition away from homelessness and high-risk behaviors, such as substance use and risky sexual activity.

Mar 29, 2016
Journal Article

Adoption, Training, and Implementation of the Project ALERT Drug Prevention Program in Chile

This study explored the process of adoption and implementation of a school-based drug and alcohol prevention program, Project ALERT, in the country of Chile.

Feb 19, 2016
Blog

State of the Union 2016: Insights on Obama's Last Address

RAND research, analysis, and expertise provide context for many of the issues discussed in President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address, including the threat of ISIS, global climate change, and bringing peace to Syria.

Jan 13, 2016
Research Brief

Policies to Support a Better Treatment for Heroin and Prescription Opioid Abuse

Increasing the number of physicians who can prescribe buprenorphine for opioid abuse and supporting their ability to treat more patients may be the fastest approach to enhancing capacity for treatment, particularly in less populated counties.

Dec 17, 2015
Journal Article

Predictors and Consequences of Prescription Drug Misuse During Middle School

This is the first study to examine the correlates of early NMPDU initiation during middle school, and how early initiation is associated with four domains of functioning in high school (mental health, social, academic, and delinquency).

Oct 20, 2015
Journal Article

Journal Article

Perceptions of Behavioral Health Care Among Veterans with Substance Use Disorders: Results from a National Evaluation of Mental Health Services in the Veterans Health Administration

Understanding patients' perceptions of care is essential for health care systems.

Jul 9, 2014
Report

Report

Developing a Framework to Estimate the Cost of Opioid Dependence

Understanding the costs of opioid dependence is important to inform drug policies and decision making. A targeted review of the harms of opioid dependence enabled an assessment of existing estimates of their costs and a proposed framework for developing new, more comprehensive estimates.

Nov 5, 2013
News Release

News Release

The Illicit Drug Landscape in the U.S and Paths for Future Efforts

The nature of the American drug problem has changed substantially over the last 20 years. It is now less of a crime problem illustrated by drug market violence and more of a health problem with higher rates of morbidity and mortality, and a criminal justice problem of burdensome incarceration rates.

Sep 18, 2012
Report

Report

Insights and Opportunities for Improving U.S. Drug Policy

The nature of the American drug problem has changed substantially over the last 20 years. It is now less of a crime problem illustrated by drug market violence and more of a health problem with higher rates of morbidity and mortality, and a criminal justice problem of burdensome incarceration rates.

Sep 5, 2012
Journal Article

Journal Article

Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use Among Injection Drug Users

This study described the prevalence and risk factors for nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPD) among injection drug users (IDUs) recruited at syringe exchange programs (SEPs) in California.

Jul 1, 2012

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