How Common is Misuse and Diversion of Stimulant Medications?

You may have seen reports about misuse and abuse of stimulant medications on TV or read about this issue in the newspaper or in a magazine. While there has been a lot of media coverage on the topic, until recently there were not any wide-scale studies to determine just how common the problem is. In 2001, the investigative arm of Congress known as the General Accounting Office (GAO) surveyed principals of public middle and high schools across the United States. Eight percent of these principals reported knowing of ADHD medications being given away, stolen or misused/abused at their school. Most of those principals reported knowing of only one incident. The GAO report also stated that increasing use of once-daily medications may reduce the potential for diversion.

The extent of the problem may vary in different schools and your child's experiences might be very different from someone else's. The important thing is to be aware that there is the potential for others to want to experiment with or to gain access to your child's ADHD medication.¹¹

Following the storage and safety guidelines discussed in this brochure may help reduce the likelihood of stimulant abuse and diversion. Nevertheless, it is important to be able to spot warning signs such as the following:

• Withdrawn, depressed, or tired behavior.
• Hostile or uncooperative attitude.
• Strained or changed relationships with family members¹²