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"National Survey on Drug Use and Health" Released at Recovery Month Press Conference; Pride Survey on Student Drug Use Also Unveiled

This week, John Walters, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and Charles Curie, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), unveiled the new "Household Survey."  The annual survey, renamed the "National Survey on Drug Use and Health," is the government's primary vehicle for determining how many persons are abusing illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, and tobacco.  The survey interviews approximately 70,000 persons age 12 years or older, over a 12-month period.  The release of the 2002 survey served as the highlight of the annual Recovery Month press conference that ushered in a month long celebration of treatment for and recovery from alcohol and drug abuse and honor for those in recovery, as well as treatment providers.

Because of significant improvements to the survey's methodology in 2002, SAMHSA and the Office of National Drug Control Policy have urged organizations and drug policy experts not to compare drug and alcohol estimates from the 2002 survey with estimates from earlier surveys.  Officials state that the 2002 data constitute a new baseline for tracking trends in substance use and other measures.  

The survey found that in 2002, an estimated 22 million Americans suffered from substance dependence or abuse due to drugs, alcohol, or both.  The report also found that:

→There were 19.5 million Americans, 8.3 percent of the population ages 12 or older, who currently use illicit drugs.

→54 million individuals participated in binge drinking in the previous 30 days, and 15.9 million individuals were heavy drinkers.

→7.7 million persons, 3.3 percent of the total population ages 12 and older, needed treatment for a diagnosable drug addiction.

→18.6 million persons, 7.9 percent of the total population ages 12 and older, needed treatment for a serious alcohol addiction.

→Only 1.4 million individuals received specialized substance abuse treatment for an illicit drug addiction and 1.5 million individuals received treatment for alcohol addiction.

Additionally this week, the Pride National Survey was released.  The Pride Survey includes data from 6th through 12th grade students collected between August 2002 and June 2003.  The data reflect prevalence and patterns of drug and alcohol use, violence, gang activity and suicide.  The survey found that despite a two percent increase from last year (22 percent to 24 percent), the number of students using illegal drugs during the 2002 school year remained consistent with the past five year average of 24 percent annual use.

To obtain an electronic copy of "The National Survey on Drug Use and Health," please go to www.DrugAbuseStatistics@samhsa.gov to obtain a copy of the Pride Survey, please go to www.pridesurveys.com