NCJ Number
164369
Date Published
1994
Length
80 pages
Annotation
This report presents preliminary national estimates of rates of use, numbers of users, and other measures related to illicit drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco, based on data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.
Abstract
This ongoing survey gathers information from the civilian noninstitutionalized population ages 12 and older. The data suggest that the significant declines in the prevalence of illicit drug use that occurred throughout the 1980's did not occur in 1992. In 1993, an estimated 11.7 million people were current illicit drug users, meaning that they had used an illicit drug in the month prior to the interview. This represents no change from 1992. No significant changes occurred in rates of illicit drug use for any age group, gender, or racial or ethnic group. Marijuana was used by 77 percent of current illicit drug users. The number of current cocaine users remained at 1.3 million in 1993, a decline from the 1985 peak of 5.3 million. About 11 million people were heavy drinkers in that they consumed five or more drinks per occasion on five or more days in the past 30 days. An estimated 50 million people were current smokers in 1993, for a smoking rate of 24 percent and a decline from 31 percent in 1985. Nine percent of the population reported having been approached in the past month by someone selling drugs. Figures and appended methodological information and tables