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Drug Use

Table 1. Estimated Number of Users of Selected Illegal Drugs, 1979–20011 (Thousands)

Year
Ages 12 and older
Adolescent (Ages 12–17)
Current use of any illicit drug 2
Current cocaine use 2
Occasional cocaine use 3
Current marijuana use 2
Lifetime heroin use
Current use of any illicit drug 2
Current marijuana use 2
Lifetime inhalant use 4
1979
25,400
4,700
—
23,800
2,300
4,100
3,374
—
1982
—
4,500
—
21,500
1,800
2,800
2199
—
1985
23,300
5,700
7,100
18,600
1,800
3,200
2,189
—
1988
15,000
3,100
5,100
12,400
1,700
1,900
1,102
—
1990
13,500
1,700
3,700
10,900
1,500
1,600
875
—
1991
13,400
2,000
3,800
10,400
2,400
1,400
722
—
1992
12,000
1,400
3,000
9,700
1,700
1,300
696
—
1993
12,300
1,400
2,700
9,600
2,100
1,400
845
—
1994
12,600
1,400
2,400
10,100
2,100
1,800
1,315
1,500
1995
12,800
1,500
2,500
9,800
2,500
2,400
1,828
1,600
1996
13,000
1,700
2,600
10,100
2,400
2,000
1,600
1,300
1997
13,900
1,500
2,600
11,100
2,000
2,600
2,116
1,600
1998
13,600
1,800
2,400
11,000
2,400
2,300
1,878
1,400
1999-CAI
13,829
1,552
1,926
10,458
3,054
2,265
1,676
2,118
2000-CAI
14,027
1,213
1,732
10,714
2,779
2,264
1,678
2,079
2001-CAI
15,910
1,676
1,995
12,122
3,091
2,556
1,889
2,038

— Data not available.
1In 1999, the survey methodology changed from a paper-and-pencil interview (PAPI) to a computer-assisted interview (CAI). A PAPI supplement conducted in 1999 provides estimates that are comparable to previous years. Estimates based on the new CAI methodology are not directly comparable to previous years.
2Data for past-month (current) use.
3Less than monthly use.
4Prior to a 1994 questionnaire change; data did not allow separate reporting for this age group.
Note: “Any illicit drug use” includes use of marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants (except in 1982), heroin, or nonmedical use of sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, or analgesics. The exclusion of inhalants in 1982 is believed to have resulted in underestimates of any illicit use for that year, especially for adolescents.
Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse (1979–1991), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (1992–2001), National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.


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