Drug Use Trends Fact Sheet

• NCJ Number: 190780
• Author(s): Jennifer Lloyd
• Date Published: October 2002
• Length: 8 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of National Drug Control Policy
• Corporate Author: Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ONDCP Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet

Annotation

This fact sheet summarizes drug use trends in the United States.

Abstract

Summarizing drug use trends in the United States, and focusing on general household, student, active military personnel, and criminal offender populations, this fact sheet presents the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Justice survey results, from various individuals, in order to describe varied groups’ drug use and abuse. Interviewing persons aged 12 years and older, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that in 2001 an estimated 0.7 percent of the responding population used cocaine, including crack, at least once in the previous month. Furthermore, 5.4 percent of Americans reported using marijuana at least once in a previous month. In another national survey, the Monitoring the Future Study tracked illicit drug abuse trends finding that 30.7 percent of high school seniors reported using illicit drugs in a previous month. The drug use and abuse survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense among military personnel found that between 1990 and 2001, marijuana/hashish related episodes increased 604 percent, heroin related episodes increased 180 percent, and methamphetamine/speed related rates peaked in 1994 and 1997. Focusing on criminal offenders, the Bureau of Justice Statistics surveys State and Federal prison populations every 5 years. Recent survey data found that between 1991 and 1997 the percentage of State prisoners who reported drug use in a previous month increased from 50 percent to 57 percent. A series of tables, graphs, and charts detailing illicit drug use survey results, by each reporting agency, is presented throughout this fact sheet.