Diversion and misuse of pharmaceutical stimulants among illicit drug users

The study aimed to examine diversion and misuse of pharmaceutical stimulants among illicit psychostimulant users, providing the first data of this type. A total of 269 regular illicit psychostimulant users were administered a structured interview measuring demographics, illicit drug use and treatment history, use and misuse of prescribed pharmaceutical stimulants, illicit use of diverted pharmaceutical stimulants, and illicit psychostimulant dependence. Lifetime use of diverted pharmaceutical stimulants was reported by 31%, with the majority having used on multiple occasions. Use of diverted pharmaceutical stimulants was initiated in adulthood in one out of two cases, at a mean age of 20.4 years, and was significantly and independently associated with being younger (odds ratio [OR] 0.93), having spent more years at school (OR 1.28) and having a more extensive history of polydrug usage (OR 1.58). Though a relatively small proportion (7%) have been prescribed pharmaceutical stimulants in the past, more than two-thirds of those prescribed these medications have misused and/or diverted them to others. Prescribers of pharmaceutical stimulants should be aware that these medications are being diverted not only among adolescents or student peer groups, but via a wider network of adult-illicit drug users.