National Trends in Drug Use and Related Factors Among American High School Students and Young Adults, 1975-1986

• NCJ Number: 109067
• Author(s): L D Johnston; P M O'Malley; J G Bachman
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 265 pages
• Grant Number(s): RO1 DA01411
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Corporate Author: University of Michigan
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents major findings of an ongoing study of patterns of licit and illicit drug use and related social, attitudinal, and other factors in high school seniors, college students, and young adults from 1975 to 1986.

Abstract

The report covers 11 major drug classes: marijuana, inhalants, hallucinogens, cocaine (including crack), heroin, natural and synthetic opiates other than heroin, stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, and cigarettes. Results indicate that the the stall observed in 1985 drug-use trends toward decreased use of all illicit drugs, including marijuana, was reversed and the downward trend resumed for all three subject groups. The annual prevalence of marijuana use among high school seniors fell to 29 percent, while use among college students and young adults fell to 37 percent. Cocaine use showed little sign of dropping from its peak levels of 6 percent among high school and 20 percent among young adult subjects. An increase in the use of crack betweeen 1983 and 1986 also was noted. While the use of stimulants, particularly amphetamines declined for all groups, use of over-the-counter stimulants increased. College students show higher prevalence rates than high school students for illicit drug use. For all groups, males were more likely to use more drugs and with greater frequency than females. Overall, 80 percent of young adults have tried illicit drugs by their mid-20's. 65 figures and 40 tables.