NSDUH: Latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, substance abuse Data, SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies

National Survey Reveals Increases in Substance Use From 2008 to 2009

Marijuana use rises; prescription drug abuse and Ecstasy use also up
The use of illicit drugs among Americans increased between 2008 and 2009 according to a national survey conducted by SAMHSA. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows that the overall rate of current illicit drug use in the United States rose from 8.0 percent of the population age 12 and older in 2008 to 8.7 percent in 2009. This rise in overall drug use was driven in large part by increases in marijuana use.

The annual NSDUH survey, released by SAMHSA at the kickoff of the 21st annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, also shows that the nonmedical use of prescription drugs rose from 2.5 percent of the population in 2008 to 2.8 percent in 2009. Additionally, the estimated number of past-month Ecstasy users rose from 555,000 in 2008 to 760,000 in 2009, and the number of methamphetamine users rose from 314,000 to 502,000 during that period.
"These results are a wake up call to the Nation," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "Our strategies of the past appear to have stalled out with 'Generation Next.' Parents and caregivers, teachers, coaches, faith and community leaders, must find credible new ways to communicate with our youth about the dangers of substance abuse."

"Today's findings are disappointing, but not surprising, because eroding attitudes and perceptions of harm about drug use over the past 2 years have served as warning signs for exactly what we see today," said Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske. "Fortunately, this administration's National Drug Control Strategy, with its focus on prevention, treatment, smart law enforcement, and support for those in recovery, highlights the right tools to reduce drug use and its consequences. But our efforts must be reinforced and supported by the messages kids get from their parents. Past-month marijuana use was much less prevalent among youth who perceived strong parental disapproval for trying marijuana or hashish once or twice than among those who did not—4.8 percent versus 31.3 percent, respectively."

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NSDUH: Latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, substance abuse Data, SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies

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National survey reveals increases in substance use from 2008 to 2009