A recent government study finds marijuana topping the
illicit drug market among American adults and teens.
According to SAMHSA, marijuana’s continued popularity among
Americans is nothing new, with 7.3% of those surveyed admitting to smoking in
2012 – a climb from 7% in 2011 and 5.8% in 2007.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) polled a total of 70,000 U.S. citizens ages 12+ regarding their
2012 drug use habits. The survey concluded increased heroin and marijuana use
rates over previous surveys.
According to SAMHSA, marijuana’s continued popularity among
Americans is nothing new, with 7.3% of those surveyed admitting to smoking in
2012 – a climb from 7% in 2011 and 5.8% in 2007.
Routine or daily use of marijuana rose to 7.6 million in
2012 from 5.1 million in 2007.
Heroin use increased significantly, jumping from 373,000
users in 2007 to a whopping 669,000 in the recent study.
Many blame the rise in heroin use to an increase in
prescription painkiller addiction, as heroin’s lower price and accessibility
offer a more convenient and affordable pill alternative.
As for first-time users, the highest numbers were associated
with marijuana (2.4 million), prescription painkillers (1.9 million),
tranquilizers (1.4 million) MDMA, or Ecstasy (0.9 million), inhalants, cocaine
and stimulants (0.6 - 0.7 million).
As a whole, illicit use varied little from 2011 poll
results: About 9.2% of the United States adult and teen population claimed they
were currently using in 2012, roughly 24 million Americans 12+.
Learn more about illegal drug
addiction – Call Above It All Addiction Treatment Center today!
