Adult Use of Prescription Opioid Pain Medications—Utah, 2008

Fatal and nonfatal overdoses from prescription pain medications have increased in recent years in Utah and throughout the nation. In 2008, the Utah Department of Health added 12 questions to the state's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey to better understand how state residents obtain and use prescription pain medication. Findings from the survey indicated that an estimated 20.8% of Utah adults aged ≥ 18 years had been prescribed an opioid pain medication during the preceding 12 months. Of those prescribed an opioid pain medication, 3.2% reported using their medication more frequently or in higher doses than had been directed by their doctor; 72.0% reported having leftover medication, and 71.0% of those with leftover medication reported that they had kept the medication. Here, Porucznik et al look at the adult use of prescription opioid pain medications in Utah. A CDC editorial note is also included.