cannabisnews.com: Rate of Drug Use in America Remains Unchanged 





Rate of Drug Use in America Remains Unchanged 
Posted by FoM on October 04, 2001 at 20:30:19 PT
By Jennifer Loven, The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press
Drug abuse in America was essentially unchanged last year, the government says. About 6 percent of those over 12 years old -- or 14 million Americans -- were illegal drug users in 2000, according to an annual survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an arm of the Department of Health and Human Services. The findings were not significantly different from 1999, either in the overall percentage of drug users or in the use of any of the major illegal drugs. 
However, the percentage of 12- and 13-year-olds last year that had used an illegal drug in the month before being interviewed fell to 3 percent from 3.9 percent, the survey found. The rate of those who had driven under the influence of drugs also declined, to 3.1 percent from 3.4 percent, it said. In 1999, the number of those trying marijuana for the first time dropped, to 2 million new users from 2.6 million in 1996. But marijuana use increased among women from 1999 to 2000, from 3.1 percent to 3.5 percent. The survey also identified nonmedical use of the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin, though still rare, as an emerging concern. The number of OxyContin abusers increased to 399,000 in 2000 from 221,000 in 1999. The pill, which produces a quick, heroin-like and potentially lethal high when chewed, snorted or injected, has been linked to more than 100 deaths nationwide since 1998. Overall, 1.5 million Americans abused pain relievers for the first time in 1999, a large jump since the mid-1980s when the number was below 400,000. The rise chiefly came among 12- to 17-year-olds. Edward Jurith, acting director of the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, said some of the news, especially concerning drug use declines among the youngest adolescents, was encouraging. But, he said, "More work is required to protect our youth from the harmful effects of drug abuse." The face-to-face interviews were conducted during 2000 with a sample of 71,764 people. On the Net: 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: http://www.samhsa.gov Newshawk: puff_tuffSource: Associated PressAuthor: Jennifer LovenPublished: October 4, 2001Copyright: 2001 Associated PressRelated Articles:Marijuana Use by Teens Declines, Survey Finds http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7781.shtmlReport: Club Drugs, Pot on Rise http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7768.shtml 
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Comment #16 posted by Cannabis Dave on October 07, 2001 at 13:29:41 PT
LEGAL prescription drugs are the real problem.
Unfortunately, the government protects and subsidizes the very drugs which cause most of the damage to our society. It is LEGAL prescription drugs that cause the most damage, after tobacco and alcohol. The answer to the drug "problem" is to decriminalize all drugs, and medicalize drug abuse treatment. Our government invented the "drug problem" here by making laws against drugs. Substances/drugs are not "evil" in themselves, and making laws against them is counter-productive, and illogical considering those laws cause the problems. The DEA only exists because of those immoral laws against SOME substances, and they have become a domestic terrorist organization.
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Comment #15 posted by Tim Stone on October 05, 2001 at 21:03:15 PT
Media Context of this Report
The two news rags in my town both reported this Household Survey result with the headline - to paraphrase - Teen Tobacco Use Down By One-Third. The articles dwelled on that. Only at the end did the reporters mention the no-gain aspect on illicit drug use. Curious how the same "story" can be spun in such different ways. And even the tobacco usage stats are of course probably suspect. Curious how Reuters would stress the illicit drug use aspect of the study, while the local rags headlined the tobacco aspect. There's probably a rational reason for such variance. Please let me know when you figure it out. :)Better times, Tim Stone
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Comment #14 posted by i420 on October 05, 2001 at 14:59:20 PT
Gov. J
Gov. Johnson made a very good point on this topic in the debate for justicetalking.Check it out online...
http://justicetalking.org
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Comment #13 posted by Robbie on October 05, 2001 at 12:02:33 PT
Did I hear right?
I just listened to a cnn blurb say that SAMSHA or somesuch said that illegal drug use was down by 25% over the previous year in 12 and 13 year olds.Whether this specific stat is true or not, do we think that ONDCP (and by default the DEA, FRC, etc.) will further justify its continued existence because they're making a little progress in the young set?Its amazing...kids have no rights until they're eighteen but they get used for all sorts justifications without their consent, or probably knowledge.Robbie
(stoned for the first time since 9/11 and just as happy that I could get this sort of stress relief from a little bit of schwag.No offense, but GOD BLESS CANNABIS!)
I wonder if we'll make it...
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Comment #12 posted by krutch on October 05, 2001 at 10:53:36 PT:
Suspicious Stats
I am always suspicious of data from surveys. People tend to tell the interviewing party what they think they want to hear. Also, no attempt is made to estimate the error of the reported numbers. If Loven would tell me how many people were surveyed, and how the agency insured a random sample of the the American public that would be helpful toward this end. The line should read:About 6 percent of those over 12 years old -- or 14 million Americans -- were illegal drug users, and crazy enough to tell the government about it in a survey.
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Comment #11 posted by aocp on October 05, 2001 at 07:43:20 PT
Re: P_T
The taxpayer shells out 20 billion per year fightin drugs.There is no reduction in drug use.The programs continue.Ah, but what you miss, my friend, is that if we weren't giving the half-ass'd "attempt" at fightin' druuugs, we'd have to shell out more than that 20 billion to clean up THEIR messes. Right? Right?!?Show me an example, you demand. Fair enough. I encourage you to look at the situation through blindfaith-goggles. Ya see, as devil's advocate, i really don't have anything beyond boogieman-spook fright tactics, so i'd appreciate it if you would just remain afraid that the sky is going to fall and let us continue to arrest and turn into snitches those in wheelchairs with debilitating diseases, ok?I hate parodying reality with such bite, but that's the way i see it "out there". What rot.
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Comment #10 posted by kaptinemo on October 05, 2001 at 07:15:20 PT:
"Figures don't lie...
I. F. Stone said that "all governments are run by liars, and no one should believe anything they say." So, if 'figures don't lie, but liars can figure', then this report has all the actuarial value of a child's scribblings in kindergarten.
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Comment #9 posted by i420 on October 05, 2001 at 06:16:49 PT
Lets vote !!
I hear ya freedom fighter why don't they really hold a poll....at the ballot box.xxdr right on !
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Comment #8 posted by lookinside on October 05, 2001 at 04:40:07 PT:
 DICK Cheney?
we've been wondering about our VP's silence...what's the story?
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Comment #7 posted by xxdr_zombiexx on October 05, 2001 at 04:34:42 PT:
That Smell!
What is that smell? *sniff...sniff*
It's Bullsh*t! That's what it is...Oh...and I see why..It's the ONDCP!I think the function of this useless tidbit is to DOWNPLAY the actual numbers of "druuug" users. This is PYSCHWAR.This accomplishes several goals at once:1] IF we didn't think for ourselves we might think that only 14 million people "do druuugs" in this country. That is probably less than half the actual number. How can you gather accurate data about something that is illegal? How can you account for validity? The purpose here is to make you think you are part of a smaller minority than you truly are.2] the flipside of issue #1 is that it allows the governemnt to pursue what Richard Cowan calls the "myth of consensus". While you are thinking you are in a minority, others feel justified in maintaining their warped and inaccurate views and opinions. Rush Limbaugh might be impressed with these stats...I am not.3] It serves to keep cannabis lumped with real drugs. If cannabis was NOT lumped in with them...god forbid it ever be legalized, there will be a couple million HARD drug users (heroin and cocanie/crack - illegal pharmaceuticals probably aren't counted in this sort of "report".) cannabis props up the war on drugs. Actually.. hhard drugs prop up the war on cannabis.Forfieture is what looms large here. Without pot smokers to arrest, there would be very little to sieze as MOST hard drug users are not terribly well-heeled, and have little to steal..I mean forfiet.4] At the end of the "report" we see tha Authors - SAMHSA. One of the largest propaganda mills in the US. This is then full=on psychological warfare as it comes out right as the Federal Goverment is seriously escalating the war on cannabis, as evidenced by the raid on Dr. Fry and the siezure of priveldeged records. Ill bet they are waiting for Ashcroft to strongarm legislation that allows them to say those records have terrorist connections in them and its in America's need to look in them and set a precedent to eliminate doctor-patient and attorney client priveledge. The same issue DICK Cheney is hiding from right now. (you haven't heard from him for awhile have you??)
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Comment #6 posted by lookinside on October 05, 2001 at 04:33:20 PT:
all this is beginning...
to become clear...we are up against zealots...this is the middle layer of the opposition...they are controlled by cynical power brokers intent on furthering their own financial goals...the cop on the street is just following orders to keep his miserable job...(some do enjoy destroying other's lives for no good reason...)the parallels to hitler's germany are coming clear...watch for large gas chambers near your local federal prison...(there are too many of us to incarcerate..)
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Comment #5 posted by freedom fighter on October 05, 2001 at 01:02:54 PT
ding dong
and the winner is FoM..Ya the best my friend... You told the truth.. Nothing more..gotta love you for what you areI can only wish peace and love for you and your family..\/
ff
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 04, 2001 at 22:54:17 PT
puff_tuff 
I agree God Bless America because our ideas and values are odd to say the least. I love the people of the USA but I sure don't understand our leadership very well.
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Comment #3 posted by puff_tuff on October 04, 2001 at 22:20:19 PT
Let me get this straight
The taxpayer shells out 20 billion per year fightin drugs.There is no reduction in drug use.The programs continue.God Bless America.
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 04, 2001 at 20:47:26 PT
Freedom fighter
I think of watching them pick balls on tv and read numbers like in the Lotto I believe it's called. And the number is!! Da Dah! LOL!Is it up or is it down or maybe the same or maybe the whole world decided to straighten up and fly right. I sure don't know where they get numbers from. Whatever benefits the moment for them I think.
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Comment #1 posted by freedom fighter on October 04, 2001 at 20:40:18 PT
gotta love the numbers
Does anybody remember anyone asking you these questions??Amazing how they come up with the numbers...ff
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