Posts Tagged Drug Use and Health

Believe it or not, a recent study in the United States shows that drug abuse is increasing among the older segment of the population, particularly those who are between 50 to 59 years of age. The people belonging to this age range has been referred to as the baby boomers since they were born in an age of increased birth rates, such as those during the economic prosperity after World War II. The demographers in US have marked the years from 1946 to 1964 as this generation’s birth years. The people born during this period symbolize a booming and prosperous America.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) has published a new analytical report An Examination of Trends in Illicit Drug Use among Adults Aged 50 to 59 in the United States. The report states that the use of illicit drugs among people aged 50 to 59 years within the last one year has nearly doubled – it was 5.1% in 2002 and has increased to 9.4% in 2007. Contrary to this, the rate of illicit drug use among other age groups has statistically either decreased or has remained the same. 

The survey was conducted on people aged 50 to 59 years and the data received from 16,656 respondents participating in the 2002 through the 2007 National surveys on Drug Use and Health, were analyzed. The report analyzes different aspects of drug abuse – the types of drugs abused, different demographic and behavioral aspects associated with the increased drug use, etc.

“These findings show that many in the Woodstock generation continue to use illicit drugs as they age,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick. “This continued use poses medical risks to these individuals and is likely to put further strains on the nation’s health care system highlighting the value of preventing drug use from ever starting,” he added.