News & Politics - Prescribed drugs top abuse list in Kids

migamoo · 09-10-2004, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Report: Prescribed drugs top abuse list
Fewer youths using marijuana; alcohol abuse steady
Thursday, September 9, 2004 Posted: 7:48 PM EDT (2348 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Fewer American youths are using marijuana, LSD and Ecstasy, but more are abusing prescription drugs, says a government report released Thursday.

The 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health also found youths and young adults are more aware of the risks of using pot once a month or more frequently.

A highlight of the study was a 5 percent decline in the number of 12- to 17-year-olds who ever have used pot. Among 12- and 13-year olds, current marijuana smokers -- those who said they used it within a month of the survey -- declined nearly 30 percent.

"It is encouraging news that more American youths are getting the message that drugs are dangerous, including marijuana," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said.

For youths age 12 to 17, use of Ecstasy and LSD in the year leading up to the survey dropped significantly -- by 41 percent for Ecstasy and 54 percent for LSD, the study said. The study, which also included adults, found that overall nearly 20 million people aged 12 and over use illegal drugs.

But there was a 20 percent decline between 2002 and 2003 in the number of youths that were 'heavy users' of pot -- those who smoke it either daily or at least 20 days each month, according to the findings released by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Survey results on alcohol use showed the numbers of binge and heavy drinkers not changing between 2002 and 2003. About 54 million Americans ages 12 and older binged on alcohol at least once in the 30 days before being surveyed. These people had five or more drinks on five or more occasions in the past month.

People 18 to 25 showed the highest prevalence of binge and heavy drinking.

But while the findings on drinking showed little change, the study found more people had tried prescription pain relievers who did not need them for medical reasons. The most striking increase was a 15 percent rise in prescription drug abuse by people 18 to 25. In the broader population of 12 and over, 5 percent more people took those drugs recreationally.

The study found that young people who were exposed to anti-drug messages outside school took notice -- with rates of current pot use 25 percent lower than those who did not get those messages.

And youths who believed their parents would strongly disapprove of marijuana used it 80 percent less than others.

Among the other findings were these:

Drunk driving declined from 2002, but drugged driving held steady.

Smoking rates remained largely unchanged overall, with 71 million people who had used tobacco in the previous month. But fewer youths reported smoking in the previous year or ever.

About 2.3 million people had used cocaine in the previous month, 1 million had used hallucinogens and 119,000 had used heroin.

Of the nearly 17 million adult users of illegal drugs last year, nearly three-quarters worked full time or part time.

Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illegal drug, with 14.6 million who had used it in the previous month, or 6.2 percent of the population. About two-thirds of new users were under 18.

Anyone else find this depressing? But I think it's good that some of the numbers are going down.

Cail · 09-10-2004, 05:37 AM

I suppose that some of the people who unneccessarily take prescription drugs do it because they think the medical spin on it means it's safer.

However, I'm glad to hear those anti-drug messages are working to some extent. If only those messages would expand to include prescription abusers....

Katis · 09-10-2004, 11:03 AM

Honestly I find most of the anti-drug commercials ridiculous. All they talk about is the dangers of using pot and alcohol. Because obviously pot is the most dangerous drug.

So 5% less kids are smoking pot, but there is a 5% raise in kids who abuse prescription drugs. Hm. Oh well, I suppose that we should be happy that they are not using the evil, addicting, deadly marijuana and are instead popping harmless little prescription pain killers.

It is good news that ecstasy and LSD use are down though.

Charlize'sAngel · 09-10-2004, 06:17 PM

Not really encouraging statistics. It's just replacing one thing with another, presumably because they have the impression the pharmaceutical ones are safer...

mh67511 · 09-10-2004, 09:05 PM

It just shocks me how YOUNG kids are! I mean my sister is 13 and I can't even IMAGINE her smoking or using drugs. Honestly, it isn't something I can even comprehend!

It's just sick! So many people can't even AFFORD their medicine and these punks pop these pills for no reason...grr that makes me so mad.

Where do these kids get the drugs or the money to buy these drugs? Or money? Are parents just COMPLETELY out of it?

One thing that bothers me is how many kids get prescription drugs these days from the DOCTOR! I think some people in this country are just OBSESSED with going to the doctor and taking pills. I mean it's always better to be safe, but I don't think it is always necesarry to be prescribing drugs to people! I've had antibiotics only a few times in my life. Yes the flu and colds are annoying, but sometimes I think it's better to just get over them naturally then rush to the doctor and get medicine.


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