In 2010, 10.1 percent of youths aged 12 to 17 were current illicit drug users

In 2010, an estimated 22.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were current

(past month) illicit drug users

The rate of current illicit drug use among 12 to 17 year olds increased to 10.0 percent

in 2009 and 10.1 percent in 2010

The number and the percentage of youths aged 12 to 17 who needed treatment for

an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2010 (1.8 million, 7.5 percent )

In 2010, the number of persons aged 12 or older needing treatment for an alcohol use

problem was 18.5 million

An estimated 9.0 million people aged 12 or older (3.6 percent) were current users

of illicit drugs other than marijuana in 2010

In 2010, the specific illicit drug category with the largest number of recent initiates among persons aged 12 or older was marijuana use (2.4 million), followed by nonmedical use of pain relievers (2.0 million) stimulants (0.6 million each)

In 2010, approximately 3.0 million persons aged 12 or older used an illicit drug for the first time within the past 12 months; this averages to about 8,100 new users per day.

The rate of current illicit drug use varied by age. Among youths aged 12 to 17 in 2010, the rate increased from 4.0 percent at ages 12 or 13 to 9.3 percent at ages 14 or 15 to 16.6 percent at ages 16 or 17

The highest rate of current illicit drug use was among 18 to 20 year olds (23.1 percent), with the next highest rate among 21 to 25 year olds (20.5 percent) The rate of current illicit drug use among young adults aged 18 to 25 increased from 19.6 percent in 2008 to 21.2 percent in 2009 and 21.5 percent in 2010

The number and percentage of persons aged 12 or older who were current users of marijuana in 2010 (17.4 million or 6.9 percent Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2009, there were 16.7 million past month users. Among persons aged 12 or older, the rate of past month marijuana use and the number of users in 2009 (6.6 percent or 16.7 million) were higher than in 2008 (6.1 percent or 15.2million)

Among persons aged 12 or older in 2009-2010 who used pain relievers nonmedically in the past 12 months, 55.0 percent got the pain relievers they most recently used from a friend or relative for free

In 2010, 10.6 million persons or 4.2 percent of the population aged 12 or older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the past year.

In 2010, there were 2.4 million persons aged 12 or older who had used marijuana for the first time within the past 12 months; this averages to about 6,600 new users each day.

Most (82.4 percent) of the 4.7 million recent alcohol initiates were younger than age 21 at the time of initiation. Approximately 58.6 percent initiated prior to age 18

First Specific Drug Associated with Initiation of Illicit Drug Use among Past Year

Illicit Drug Initiates

Aged 12 or Older: 2010

NEWS & EVENTS AT MOMSTELL

Monitoring the Futures

Marijuana and synthetic marijuana are the most

prevalent illicit drugs used by

12th graders, according to recent data from the 2011 Monitoring

the Future (MTF) survey.

Slightly more than one-third (36.4%) of high school seniors reported using marijuana in

the past year, including 11.4%

who reported using synthetic marijuana, compared with less than 10% for all other illicit

drugs

learn more >>>

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention and treatment saves lives and costs less: Millions of people and their families are in recovery from addiction and leading productive lives. Every dollar invested in drug treatment can save $7 in societal and medical costs, said former Assistant Health Secretary Philip Lee. Addiction treatment consistently ranks in the top 10% in cost effectiveness of more than 500 health- and life-saving measures --David C. Lewis, M.D., editor of the Brown University Digest of Addiction Theory and Application.

Treatment Need

“Studies have consistently shown that comprehensive drug treatment works.

-- Dr. Nora D. Volkow,
Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse

20.5 million needed but did not receive treatment for illicit drugs or alcohol use

Treatment need is defined as having a substance use disorder or receiving treatment at a specialty facility (hospital inpatient, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, or mental health centers) within the past 12 months.

In 2010, 23.1 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem (9.1 percent of persons aged 12 or older).

Of the 1.8 million youths who needed treatment in 2010, 138,000 received treatment at a specialty facility (about 7.6 percent of the youths who needed treatment), leaving 1.7 million who needed treatment for a substance use problem but did not receive it at a specialty facility.

In 2010, among persons who received their most recent substance use treatment at a specialty facility in the past year, 41.5 percent reported using their "own savings or earnings" as a source of payment for their most recent specialty treatment

Substance abuse treatment is more cost-effective than prison or other punitive measures

-- Dr. Nora D. Volkow,
Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) found that drug treatment conducted within the community is extremely beneficial in terms of cost, especially compared to prison. Every dollar spent on drug treatment in the community is estimated to return $18.52 in benefits to society.

Website Design by Precision Business Solutions