2011: No Change in Overall Drug Use, but Encouraging Reductions in Specific Drug Categories

This year survey results, released in December 2011, indicate that overall drug use, as measured by past month use of any illicit drug, in each of the three grades was unchanged from last year.

That is, there were no statistically significant changes. However, a number of drug categories showed statistically significant reductions between 2010 and 2011 for some grades. These include the following declines:

Past-year use of Vicodin among 10^th graders (7.7% to 5.9%)

Past-year use of any illicit drug, including inhalants, among 8th graders (20.3% to 18.2%)

Past-year use of inhalants among 8th graders (8.1% to 7.0%)

Past-year use of inhalants among 10th graders (5.7% to 4.5%)

Past-year use of crack cocaine among 12th graders (1.4% to 1.0%)

Past-year use of amphetamines among 10^th graders (7.6% to 6.6%)

Past-year use of tranquilizers among 8th graders (2.8% to 2.0%)

Past-year use of over-the-counter cough/cold medicine among 12^th graders (6.6% to 5.3%)

Past-month use of hallucinogens other than LSD among 12th graders (1.5% to 1.2%)

Past-year and past-month use of Ecstasy among 8th graders (2.4% to 1.7% and 1.1% to 0.6%, respectively) and

Past-year use of androstenedione (a steroid) among 12thgraders (1.5% to 0.7%)

A Call for Action: New Information on the Use of Synthetic Marijuana 

One of the most noteworthy findings of the latest MTF survey involved the use by 12^th graders of synthetic marijuana (specifically “Spice” and “K2”), which consists of leaves of an ordinary plant sprayed by chemicals that mimic the mind-altering effects of marijuana.

The 2011 MTF study included for the first time a question on past-year use of synthetic marijuana among high school seniors. The results indicate that the prevalence of use in the past year among 12^th graders was estimated at 11.4%. Synthetic marijuana ranks as the second most frequently used illicit substance, after marijuana, among high school seniors.

Action to Address This New Threat:

In September 2011, the DEA used its emergency scheduling authority to ban the sale of the chemicals used to manufacture K2 and Spice.

ONDCP has brought together public health and safety agencies from across the Federal Government to share data and coordinate the Federal response to new synthetic drugs.

The House of Representatives passed legislation that would ban synthetic drugs to include those marketed as “bath salts”.(And many states have taken action to ban the chemicals found in K2 and Spice, as well.)

Given the latest data, ONDCP will be reaching out to a nationwide network of state and local public health and safety organizations to provide them with the latest information on this public health threat and spur action at the local level.

Information Above is Courtesy of the: Office of National Drug Control Policy