Wang W, et al. - Via a population-based cross-sectional study of a total of 21,774 students aged 12–20 years, the researchers sought to evaluate whether adolescents had used any prescription drugs non-medically in order to investigate the correlations between the family environment and non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD, defined as using these drugs without a doctor’s directions and for reasons other than the medication’s intended purpose) and to examine if there were any sex differences in the aforementioned relationships. A total of 6.3% of students stated a lifetime NMUPD. Opioids, followed by sedatives and stimulants were the most regularly used drugs. An association of living arrangements, family financial status, parental relations, parental education status, monthly pocket money, parental drinking and drug problems with the NMUPD among all students was observed. Living arrangements, family financial status, maternal education levels, monthly pocket money, parental drinking, and drug problems were markedly linked to different types of NMUPD, among boys. Except for maternal education levels, similar factors were found affiliated with girls’ NMUPD. Hence, the family environment was concluded as exerting an important impact on adolescents’ NMUPD. Keeping the negative effects of NMUPD in mind, interventions targeted at families are deeply suggested. Moreover, while making and implementing preventive strategies, a child’s sex should be taken into account.