Help make a difference by reducing the risk of prescription opioid pain medicine abuse.

When Good Medicines Become Bad DrugsSM is educating patients, caregivers and the public about prescription opioid pain medicines and their responsible use. But that is only the beginning. Here, you will find practical information to share with others about responsible prescription medicine use and how to safeguard against abuse.

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Archived Webcast: WHEN GOOD MEDICINES BECOME BAD DRUGSSM


Did You Know…
  • An estimated 15 percent of adults suffer with pain that lasts more than three months 1; for many, prescription pain medicines are an important part of their treatment2


  • When these good medicines get in the hands of those without a prescription, they can be as dangerous as street drugs3


  • Seven million Americans abuse prescription medicines – that’s an 80 percent increase from 2000 to 2006 and is more than the total abuse of cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, ecstasy, and inhalants combined4


  • Opioid pain relievers, such as morphine, oxycodone or fentanyl, are the most commonly abused prescription medicines; 71 percent of people abusing these medicines obtained them from a friend or family member5
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When Good Medicines Become Bad Drugs is a service mark of Cephalon, Inc. or its affiliates.
  1. National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2006 with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. Hyattsville, MD:70.
  2. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2006 with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. Hyattsville, MD: 98.
  3. Ad Spotlights Teen Abuse of Medicinal Drugs, FDA Consumer Health Information, http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/antidrug071807.html, accessed on September 18, 2008.
  4. Fact Sheet: Prescription Drug Abuse – a DEA Focus, http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/good_medicine_bad_behavior_factsheet.doc, accessed on September 18, 2008.
  5. National Drug Control Strategy, 2008 Annual Report, page 3.
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