Illicit drug use down, teen use flat
By Sid Perkins
UPI Science News
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Health officials announce drug abuse among
teens has fallen for the first time since 1992.
The drop was reported today as part of the 1996 National Household Survey
on Drug Abuse released by the Department of Health and Human Services. The
survey also announced the overall use of illicit drugs among Americans
remained unchanged from 1995 to 1996.
The survey of 18,269 persons, chosen to be representative of Americans
over the age of 12, shows the rate of teenage use of all illicit drugs
declined from 10.9 percent in 1995 to 9.0 percent in 1996.
While marijuana use among teenagers remained statistically unchanged from
the previous year, officials say this offers a "glimmer of hope" because
marijuana use had doubled among teenagers between 1992 and 1995.
The survey also shows decreases in tobacco and alcohol use among teens,
although usage continues to be high. For example, teen alcohol use dropped
from 21.1 percent in 1995 to 18.8 percent in 1996. Also, usage of
smokeless tobacco dropped from 2.8 percent to 1.9 over the same
period.
Other survey results, however, cause "concern" among the health officials.
For example, more teens are trying heroin for the first time, fewer
children perceive cocaine use as "risky," and the use of some drugs, such
as hallucinogens, continues to rise.
White House National Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey says, "This
survey has some tentative good news. ... Overall drug use in America has
fallen by half in 15 years. However, drugs are a sustained threat to our
young people."
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