NCJ Number
162480
Date Published
1995
Length
89 pages
Annotation
The 1994 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse gathered information from a nationally representative sample of persons ages 12 and over; the survey revealed trends since the 1970's and provided information regarding population groups for which prevention and treatment interventions could have the greatest impact.
Abstract
The survey revealed that the number of illicit drug users has not changed since 1992, following more than a decade of decline in illicit drug users since the peak year of 1979. No change in the number of weekly cocaine users occurred since first estimated in 1985; this finding indicates a continuing demand for drug treatment services. The rate of past alcohol use declined from 1979 to 1992 and has increased slightly since then. The rate of heavy alcohol use has not changed since 1990. Findings indicated that an estimated 13 million people, amounting to 6 percent of those ages 12 and over, used illicit drugs. Ten million people used marijuana, 1.4 million used cocaine, and 13 million had 5 or more drinks per occasion on 5 or more days in the month. Between 1992 and 1994, the rate of marijuana use among youths ages 12-17 nearly doubled. The 60 million cigarette smokers included 4 million adolescents ages 12-17 years. The highest rates of drug use were among unemployed persons and persons who had not completed high school; but most adult drug users were employed and high school graduates. Figures, appended tables and methodological information, and 45 references