• Tracey E Barnett, Erika L Thompson, Dana M Litt, and Melissa A Lewis.
• School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas. Electronic address: tracey.barnett@unthsc.edu.
• Am J Prev Med. 2019 Nov 1; 57 (5): e175-e179.

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to assess risk factors, including other substance use, for nonmedical prescription opioid use among U.S. adolescents.MethodsA secondary data analysis of the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was conducted (n=10,175) in 2018. The outcome was nonmedical prescription opioid use. Predictor variables included other substance use, mood, sleep, academic performance, and demographic characteristics. Survey-weighted procedures in SAS, version 9.4 were used, and an adjusted logistic regression model was conducted.ResultsAmong the sampled adolescents, 13.8% (95% confidence limit=12.4%, 15.3%) reported nonmedical prescription opioid use. Nonmedical prescription opioid use was more likely among participants aged 15 years (versus 16 years), American Indian/Alaskan Natives, and those who reported being sad or hopeless. All other substance use was significantly associated with increased odds of nonmedical prescription opioid use. Nonmedical prescription opioid use was 1.5 times more likely among electronic vapor users (AOR=1.58, 95% CI=1.34, 1.86), 2 times more likely among cigarette (AOR=2.49, 95% CI=2.16, 2.88) and marijuana users (AOR=2.45, 95% CI=2.05, 2.93), and almost 3 times as likely among alcohol users (AOR=2.98, 95% CI=2.18, 4.07).ConclusionsStudy findings suggest a need for more interventions for nonmedical prescription opioid use among adolescents in the U.S. Information on nonmedical prescription opioid use should be added to all substance use prevention programs for adolescents. Moreover, future research needs to identify longitudinal predictors of adolescent nonmedical prescription opioid use to inform prevention efforts.Copyright © 2019 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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