National Survey on Drug Abuse Released at Recovery Month Press Conference on September 8, 2005

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced a 9 percent decline in illicit drug use among American youth between the ages of 12 and 17 from 2002 to 2004. Marijuana use also declined by 7 percent among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 during this same period. Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug, with a rate of 6.1 percent (14.6 million current users) for the U.S. population 12 and older. The findings are from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) released September 8, 2005 at the annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month press conference.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, a time to recognize the efforts of treatment providers, promote the benefits of treatment, and encourage individuals with substance use disorders to seek treatment and recovery.

Related Information

• Press Conference, September 8, 2005

View streaming media of the press event


• SAMHSA's 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health [formerly called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA)] is the primary source of information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use and abuse in the general U.S. civilian non institutionalized population, age 12 and older. It is currently conducted by SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies (OAS).
View survey


• SAMHSA's National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
  The Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective alcohol and drug use treatment for those in need.
  2005 Recovery Month Web Site
  Recovery Month Events Highlight Importance of Seeking Treatment
  
  
• SAMHSA Newsroom Advisories

National Survey on Drug Abuse to be Released at Recovery Month Press Conference
Youth Drug Use Continues to Decline


• Order SAMHSA's 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
  Overview of Findings from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA/OAS, 2005) NCADI Inventory Number: BKOAS16
  
  Results from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA/OAS, 2005) NCADI Inventory Number: BKOAS17
  
  
• Faces and Voices of Recovery Rising! Recovery in Action Congressional Luncheon
  View streaming media of luncheon