RESEARCH d e e

The nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is an escalating problem in the United States [1-3] and, by population prevalence, appears to have overtaken most illicit substances. NMUPD now exceeds all categories of abused substances, with the exception of marijuana [4,5]. Two of the most commonly prescribed classes of prescrip-tion drugs with abuse potential are benzodiazepines, or central nervous system depressants, and opioids [6]. Although benzodiazepines are typically prescribed and opioids are indicated to control acute or chronic pain [6,7], many people use these medications in non-medical ways or without a valid prescription. Long term or nonmedical use of opioids or benzodiazepines, such as taking larger doses of the medication, can re-sult in tolerance and/or dependence [6,8]; large doses of opioids, or combined use of opioids and another depressant such as alcohol, can lead to respiratory de-pression or death [6]. Moreover, combining benzodi-azepines with other substances such as alcohol have similar outcomes [6]. NMUPD results in more emergency room visits than any illicit drug [3], and is involved in * Correspondence