A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization
Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
| Home | Search | About ASH | Why Join | Comment | Email page |
|
Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
|
New Study Ranks Drug and Tobacco Use By State [08/06-3]
Excerpts from: Federal Study Ranks Drug Use By State
PR Newswire [08/05/04]
Past month use of illegal drugs ranged
from a low of 6.1 percent in Iowa to a high of 12.4 percent in the District of
Columbia for persons aged 12 or older, according to a new report from the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The report, "State Estimates of Substance Use from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health," estimates state rates of use of illegal drugs, binge drinking, serious mental illness and tobacco use.
Alabama had the lowest rate, 4.4 percent, of past month use of marijuana among persons aged 12 or older. Other states in the lowest fifth for current use of marijuana among persons aged 12 or older included Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. The District of Columbia had the highest rate, 10.8 percent.
"State-by-state data is a powerful tool for policymakers at the federal, state and local levels to identify state prevention and treatment needs. It is clear from the findings that illicit drug, alcohol and tobacco use vary substantially among states and regions," SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said. "Because of the many improvements made in the 2002 Survey, the data creates new baselines. These data will take on greater value over time, as more data are accumulated and trends can be assessed in greater detail, at both the national and the state levels."
Approximately 71.8 million Americans aged 12 or older used some form of tobacco in the past month in 2002, about 30 percent of the population. Utah had the lowest rate, 22 percent, and Arkansas the highest prevalence, 39.9 percent. For cigarettes, Kentucky had the highest rate of past month use in the nation, 33.8 percent, and Utah had the lowest rate, 18.9 percent. The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that 8.3 percent of the population aged 18 or older had serious mental illness in the past year. Oklahoma reported the highest rate in the nation, 11.4 percent, while New Jersey reported the lowest rate, 6.5 percent.
The 2002 survey is based on interviews with 68,126 respondents who were interviewed in their homes. This includes persons residing in dormitories or homeless shelters. The interviews represent 98 percent of the population ages 12 and older. Not included in the survey are persons in the active military, in prisons or other institutionalized populations or who are homeless. The new report presents state estimates for 20 measures of substance use or mental disorders.
click here to view this report
| Home Web Page | Search This Site | Learn About ASH | Why Join ASH | Comment on This | Email This Page |