This report provides background on the illegal prescription drug threat in the United States and the multiple strategies used to divert prescription drugs, and then review the range of responses supported by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program.

The study draws on a variety of sources that include scientific and professional literature, published materials from Federal, state, and local programs, Internet searches related to enforcement, education, and prevention, as well as discussions with law enforcement and administrators from state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs).