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Newswise After marijuana and alcohol, the most commonly abused drugs by those over the age of 14 are prescription and over-the-counter medications.

In fact, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse pointing to the 2014 Monitoring the Future Study conducted by the University of Michigan, the top pharmaceutical drugs of choice for 12th graders during the past year were Adderall and Vicodin. Adderall was abused by 6.8 percent of 12th graders, while Vicodin was 4.8 percent. According to the report, marijuana was at the top of the list at 35.1 percent.

Reports like this, and many others, all clearly indicate there is a growing epidemic in the United States, particularly around prescription drugs.

States like Pennsylvania have taken action. Last year, the Keystone State passed a law related to prescription drug monitoring to help crack down on doctor shoppers. In addition, with the help of organizations like the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians (PACEP), the state created opioid prescribing guidelines for physicians and other prescribers.

And, while thats a good start to address the issue of prescription drug abuse, physicians say families also play an important role, and it often begins with medicine cabinets.

Sadly, medications sitting around the house can provide a temptation for other family members and house guests, says Karen Rizzo, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. This has to be a team effort medical experts, families, government, and communities. We all must play a role in fighting prescription drug abuse.

As such, physicians are urging households to add clean my medicine cabinet to the list of Spring cleaning chores.

With the first day of Spring on March 20, theres no better time to think about spring cleaning, and the medicine cabinet should be the top of the list, says Michael Bohrn, MD, FACEP, president of PACEP. Were only asking for a few minutes of time, and cleaning out a medicine cabinet wont take much time.

See the article here:

Include Medicine Cabinets on Your Spring Cleaning List