Survey Shows Reduction in Illegal Prescription Drug Use Among Young Adults
Sep 24, 2012
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the number of Americans aged 18 to 25 using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes has declined from 2 million in 2010 to 1.7 million to 2011. The rates of binge drinking and heavy drinking among young people have also continued to decline since 2002.
In 2002, almost 29% of 12 to 20 year olds polled admitted to binge drinking. Statistics from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) revealed that the rate had dropped to fewer than 5%. Among young people, marijuana remains the most popular illicit drug at about 8% of subjects aged 12 to 17currently using the drug. The use of other drugs also saw a decline in 2011, such as tobacco, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Additionally, there was a 19% reduction in the use of hallucinogens from 2010 to 2011. The NSDUH is an annual survey of approximately 70,000 people throughout the country aged 12 and older.
Learn more: Treatment, Signs of Drug Use
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Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration