A new study released yesterday by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration showed a decline in prescription medication abuse in 2008 in the US. Approximately 6.2 million Americans, or 2.5% of the population, abused prescription medication in the past month, down from 2.8% in 2007.
The decline is attributed to the national, and much publicized, health reports on the dangers of their misuse and the federally funded anti-drug ad campaign.
Methamphetamine use also declined in 2008, from 529,000 users in 2007 to 314,000 in 2008. But, in amongst this good news, the study found that overall the national rate of drug use remained steady due to the increase in both marijuana and hallucinogen use. Approximately 20.1 million Americans, or 8% of the population, reported past-month drug use in 2008.
Drug use amongst the 50-59 year olds also increased, from 2.7% in 2002 to 4.6% in 2008. The study attributes this increase to aging baby boomer drug users.
Drug use among the 12-17 year olds remained steady at 6.7%.