Prescription Drug Abuse Down but LSD, Ecstasy Use Up

While there was a decline in the current use of prescription drug abuse among 12 to 17 year olds, there were increases in the rates of past year use of Ecstasy and LSD, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The survey was released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at a news conference in Washington, D.C.

Among youth aged 12 to 17, the survey shows a decline in overall past month illicit drug use from 9.5 percent in 2007 to 9.3 percent in 2008. Additionally, the number of teens who reported past-month use of prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs decreased significantly during this time frame, from 3.3 percent in 2007 to 2.9 percent in 2008. Other drugs that also dropped in use were methamphetamine and cocaine.

However, the study also reveals a few troubling trends over the past year, including the fact that, among youth aged 12 to 17, there was a rise in the rate of hallucinogen use, which jumped from .7 percent in 2007 to 1 percent in 2008. This was driven in part by an increase in Ecstasy use from .3 percent in 2007 to .4 percent in 2008. Among people 12 or older, past year use of LSD increased from 620,000 in 2007 to 802,000 in 2008.

At a news conference today, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said that while the findings were positive on some fronts, there was much more work left to be done.

“Although we see some success in the reduction of overall illicit drug use, methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse among teens, there are indications that progress in other areas may be at a standstill, or even slipping back. As we develop the Obama Administration's first drug control strategy, we will emphasize a balanced approach that can respond to current and emerging drug abuse trends. Improving substance abuse prevention and treatment systems will be among our priorities,” he said.

Officials stressed that more work was needed to decrease the rate of marijuana use, because the rate of current marijuana use has remained steady for several years at about 6.7 percent among youth ages 12 to 17. Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug in 2008, with 15.2 million people ages 12 or older using marijuana in the past month and 2.2 million people using marijuana for the first time. Director Kerlikowske also expressed concern over the softening in attitudes toward marijuana use with the percentage of teens who perceived “great risk of use” of marijuana once or twice a week decreasing significantly, from 54.7 percent in 2007 to 53.1 percent in 2008.

The complete survey findings are available at: oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k8nsduh/2k8Results.cfm.