DHHS Report Shows Drug Use Rates Stable, Youth Tobacco Use Declines

October 15, 2001

DHHS Report Shows Drug Use Rates Stable, Youth Tobacco Use Declines

A new government report shows that in 2000, use of illicit drugs were relatively unchanged, although drug use did decline among early teenagers, and cigarette use dropped among teens and young adults. Among youths aged 12 to 17, 9.7 percent reported current illicit drug use in 2000, meaning they used an illicit drug at least once during the 30 days prior to the time of the survey interview. This compares to a 9.8 percent rate in 1999. The survey also showed . . .