Pediatric Primary Care Providers Play a Central Role in Reducing Stimulant Diversion

When used as prescribed, stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamine salts are safe, effective, and Food and Drug Administration approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment [1]. At the same time, stimulant medications are also increasingly being used nonmedically. Recent epidemiological data suggesting that one in 20 high school seniors reports past-year nonmedical use (NMU) of a stimulant [2]. Unlike college student motives for perceived academic performance enhancement, motives for high school student stimulant NMU are more aligned with classic substance abuse motives (e.g., “get high”) and substance abuse correlates (e.g., binge drinking, cannabis use) [2].
Source: Journal of Adolescent Health - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research