[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]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P