DOVER, Del. - A shortage of medications like Adderall and Ritalin has raised concerns about a potential increase in illicit drug use.
Supply chain disruptions in the fall of 2022 as well as an increase in prescriptions for these drugs are contributing factors in the shortage, according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. It says the shortage has left many struggling to access these medications, leading some to turn to illegal alternatives.
Prescription stimulants like Adderall and Xanax are often used to manage conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and for improving academic or work performance. They are sometimes also used recreationally or in social settings.
The Department of Health and Social Services says that, when they are hard to find, about 60 to 80 percent of users who can't get these drugs from a doctor or pharmacy will get them from friends or family. The most vulnerable population for nonmedical use of prescription stimulants is people between 18 and 25 years old.
Drugs imitating Adderall and Xanax are easily accessible through websites and social media, according to the department. They're known for targeting young people at risk for misuse during shortages. A December 2022 study from the Centers for Disease Control said that overdose deaths among people aged 14 through 19 increased significantly in the two years prior. Over 25 percent of those deaths were caused by counterfeit pills that mimicked prescription medications but contained deadly fentanyl.
Illicit pills like these can have a range of negative effects on physical and mental health. In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized over 50 million fake pills, and six out of 10 of those contained a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. In Delaware in particular, 85 percent of the 537 overdose deaths last year involved fentanyl.
The Department of Health and Social Services calls on prescribers to thoroughly assess the risk of misuse, abuse and addiction before prescribing stimulants. It says providers must follow a set of criteria to confirm an ADHD diagnosis. Prescribers must cross-reference prescription information with state-run prescription drug monitoring programs and limit the number and frequency of pills prescribed.
For more information on screening and assessment, or for treatment and recovery services in Delaware and surrounding states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.