HealthDay (12/30, Gotkine) reports a study found that “in the past two decades, there were decreases in prescribing of some controlled medications to adolescents and young adults.” The researchers “examined nationwide trends in the prescribing of controlled medications to early adolescents (10 to 12 years), adolescents (13 to 17 years), and young adults (18 to 24 years and 25 to 29 years) enrolled in Medicaid from 2001 to 2019.” They observed that “the annual proportion prescribed any controlled medication peaked at 17.5, 20.6, and 34.1 and 47.0 percent in early adolescents (2003), adolescents (2009), and young adults aged 18 to 24 and 25 to 29 years (2010), respectively. The proportions decreased to 11.7, 12.6, and 16.2 and 23.9 percent, respectively, by 2019.” The researchers also highlighted “variation in trends by medication and age.” The study was published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Related Links:
— “Prescribing of Some Controlled Medications Decreased in Youth Over Past Two Decades,”Elana Gotkine, HealthDay, December 30, 2025