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2001 Updates

2000-1999 Updates

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Drug Use Up Sharply
Between 2000 and 2001, past-month use of illicit drugs rose sharply, from 14 million Americans to 15.9 million Americans.

Past-Month Drug Use in Every Age Group Jumps
The jump in drug use occurred in every age group – adolescents, young adults, and older adults. Past-month marijuana also jumped.

Drug Use Among Racial/Ethnic Groups
Drug use is spread fairly evenly across racial/ethnic groups, although the rate of use is higher among American Indians and Alaska Natives, considerably lower among Asians, and considerably higher among persons who report more than one race.

A Sharp Rise in Ecstasy Use
There were 1.6 million more ecstasy users in 2001 than the year before.

An Even Sharper Rise in Oxycontin Use
The nonmedical use of the prescription drug, Oxycontin, quintupled in just two years.

Most People Who Need Treatment Don’t Know They Need Treatment
In 2001, an estimated 6.1 million Americans needed treatment for dependence on or abuse of an illicit drug, according to DSM-IV criteria. Only 1.1 million got treatment. Of the remaining 5 million, only 377,000 recognized they needed treatment. Of those, 101,000 tried to find treatment, but could not get it. Some 276,00 felt they needed treatment but did not seek it.

Adults Who Used Illicit Drugs Were Twice As Likely to Have A Serious Mental Illness
Adults who used illicit drugs in 2001 were twice as likely to have serious mental illness as adults who did not use an illicit drug.