Pain relievers are new drug of choice.

• Position: Addictions - Brief article

More persons initiated nonmedical use of narcotic pain relievers in the past year than began using marijuana or cocaine, states a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, D.C. Some 2,400 individuals ages 12 or older started using prescription pain relievers in the 12 months prior to the survey; 2,100,000 began smoking marijuana; and 1,000,000 opted for cocaine.

"While overall illicit drug use continues to decline among our young people, we are always playing close attention to the data to identify any potential areas of concern," declares SAMHSA administrator Charles Curie. "Abuse of prescription pain medication is dangerous and can lead...