[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 24901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10735]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
Request for Input To Inform a Possible Surgeon General Action on
Prescription Drug Abuse in Youth
AGENCY: National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of
Health, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The National Institute on Drug Abuse, a Research Institute of
the National Institutes of Health, is seeking on behalf of the
Department of Health and Human Services information for an anticipated
Surgeon General response to the public health problem of prescription
drug abuse among youth.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Scope of Problem: Prescription drug abuse \1\ remains a looming
public health threat in this country. Unlike illicit drug use, which
has shown a continuing downward trend, prescription drug abuse,
particularly of opioid pain medications, has seen a continual rise
through the 1990s and has remained stubbornly steady among persons 12
or older during recent years. Most abusers are between the ages of 18
and 25, but younger age groups are also a major concern.
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\1\ Prescription drug abuse is defined here as the intentional
use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as
prescribed; or for the experience or feeling elicited. It is used
interchangeably with ``nonmedical'' use, a term employed by many of
the National Surveys. This definition does not include use for self-
harm (suicide attempts).
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Approach: ONDCP highlighted prescription drug abuse in its 2010
National Drug Control Strategy. At that time, ONDCP outlined a plan of
action to address the prescription drug abuse problem, which included
engaging the Office of the Surgeon General to help bring it needed
attention. A multi-agency federal work group was formed to follow
through on facilitating a Surgeon General response. To date, the work
group has received expert input on the state of the science for
addressing prescription drug abuse among youth, including from
scientific researchers, public health officials, clinicians, and
military and law enforcement personnel. Expectations are that a review
of the information collected will lead to the issuance of a Surgeon
General publication.
Potential Areas of Focus: Extent of the problem and its
consequences; differences in prescription drug abuse motivations and
how they might inform prevention approaches; availability and
adaptability of evidence-based prevention programs; the design of media
messages for a wide range of stakeholders; and possible roles for
health care professionals, parents, community stakeholders, law
enforcement, policymakers, and others addressing this problem.
Purpose of Notice: The purpose of this notice is to provide
individuals and organizations the opportunity to identify issues and
areas of need for consideration as we gather information for an
anticipated Surgeon General response to the public health problem of
prescription drug abuse among youth. Comments must be in writing and
should not exceed 500 words. All comments will receive careful
consideration. However, persons and organizations submitting comments
will not receive individual responses.
DATES: Individuals and organizations interested in providing
information must submit their comments on/or before June 2, 2011.
Comments received after this date will not be considered.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any one of the following
methods:
Mail: Anna Staton, M.P.A., Office of Science Policy and
Communications, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive
Boulevard, Suite 5230, MSC 9591, Bethesda, MD 20892-9591; or
E-mail: Send to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Beth Bigley, Dr.P.H., M.S.N.,
A.N.P., Acting Director, Office of Science and Communications, Office
of the Surgeon General, by telephone at 202-205-5642, or e-mail at
[email protected].
Dated: April 27, 2011.
Mary Affeldt,
Executive Officer, NIDA, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-10735 Filed 5-2-11; 8:45 am]
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