Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) latest national survey revealed a significant decline in drug use by American youth but an increase in substance use among adults aged over 50.
Substance abuse, especially drug use and cigarette smoking has often been associated with the American youth. However, a new U.S. government survey released Wednesday, shows this might not actually be true.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a report revealing the findings of their latest national survey. The report discovered a significant decline in drug use by American youth but an increase in substance use among adults aged over 50.
According to the report, illicit drug use among the youth declined from 11.6 percent a decade earlier to 9.5 percent last year. However, drug use has increased over the last decade among people above the age of 50, especially between the ages of 55 and 59. The report revealed that among people between the ages of 50 and 54, illicit drug use increased by more than double over the last decade to 7.2 percent last year. Among people aged between 55 and 59, this percentage tripled to 6.6 percent last year. Marijuana was by far the most-used illicit drug among both children and adults.
Illicit drug use among children remained steady over the last decade at 10.1 percent, though this number is slightly higher than the previous decade. Coming to young adults, aged between 18 and 25, illicit drug use also remained steady through the decade, with only a slight increase in marijuana use. Marijuana was by far the most-used illicit drug among both children and adults.
"These findings show that while we have made progress in preventing some aspects of substance abuse we must redouble our efforts to reduce and eliminate all forms of it throughout our nation," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "These statistics represent real people, families and communities dealing with the devastating consequences of abuse and addiction. We must strive to prevent further abuse and provide the hope of treatment and recovery to all people needing help."
Previous studies have linked the use of marijuana to a decrease in IQ levels
The report was released to kick-start the month of September, known as National Recovery Month, a government-sponsored promotion to prevent and treat substance abuse and mental health disorders.
"Recovery Month reminds us that the work we do to promote and support recovery has lasting, positive impact on so many individuals, families and communities," said H. Westley Clark, the director of SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. "It also reminds us that while we have made great strides, there is still much for us to do."
