Marijuana has long been the most popular illicit drug in the U.S., but federal researchers say that there are now more new recreational users of prescription painkillers than new pot smokers.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported Oct. 27 that a new study, "Misuse of Prescription Drugs: Data from the 2002, 2003 and 2004 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health," found that misuse of prescription drugs has become the second-biggest illicit-drug problem behind marijuana use.

The study estimated that about 2.7 million people ages 12 and older first misused prescription drugs each year, compared to an estimated 2.1 million new users of marijuana. Nonmedical use of prescription drugs was highest among 18- to 25-year-olds, followed by 12- to 17-year-olds.

Drugs like hydrocodone, including Vicodin, were especially popular, as were oxycodone-based drugs like OcyContin and Percocet.

"While marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug, the misuse of prescription drugs is clearly a growing national concern that requires action from multiple segments of our society," said Assistant Surgeon General Eric Broderick, SAMHSA's acting deputy administrator.

"We know that 70 to 80 percent of those 12 years or older said they got their drugs from a friend or relative and, very likely, those came from the family medicine cabinet. Only 4.3 percent got the pain relievers from a drug dealer or other stranger, and only 0.8 percent reported buying the drug on the Internet. Parents and other caregivers should store their prescription drugs carefully and dispose of any unused drugs before they can fall into the wrong hands."