Substance Abuse

Definitions:  Substance abuse includes  [1.]  alcohol consumption;  [2.]  illegal drug use (e.g.: cocaine, methamphetamine, club drugs, heroin, marijuana, etc.);  [3.] the misuse of prescription drugs (e.g. anabolic steroids, sleeping pills and pain medications );  [4.] the misuse of other harmful substances (e.g inhalants, aerosols and mind-altering vapors);  and  [5.] and tobacco use (including smoking, smokeless tobacco and second-hand smoking). 

Trends in Substance Abuse:  According to NIDA, teen drug use declined slightly during 2003-2004, but concerns remain about inhalants and the inappropriate use of painkillers.  Based on years of surveys of young adults, there is evidence that substance abuse is declining in this age group, and is more common at age 35.  Although teen drug use is also down, progress has halted among the youngest teens.  The gradual decline in teen smoking and drug use appears to be slowing and may be nearing its end.  Unfortunately, there is some indication that early teen use of inhalants and painkillers is on the rise.  Overall, there are still disturbing patterns of illicit drug, tobacco and alcohol use in the U.S.  In 2003, an estimated 19.5 million Americans, aged 12 or older, were current users of an illicit drug.  This estimate represents 8.2 % of the population.  Over half (51%) of America’s teenagers have tried illegal drugs by the time they finish high school  An estimated 71 million Americans reported being current users tobacco in 2003, a prevalence rate of 30% of the population, 12 years and older.  Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance with 14.6 million users in 2003.  Inhalants are the 3^rd most abused substances among 12-14 year olds, with over 17% reporting use at least once in their lifetime.  These drugs are particularly dangerous because they can damage the nervous system, even after a single use, and they can be fatal.⁽²⁾    Methamphetamine abuse and production is at alarmingly high levels, especially in the southwestern areas of the United States.  In Phoenix, for example, the percentage of adult male arrestees testing positive for methamphetamine in 2003, was one of the highest in the nation:  38.3 %. ⁽³⁾

Goals:  Healthy Arizona 2010 is a state health initiative that, in part, plans to:   [1] increase community knowledge and understanding of substance abuse and thereby reduce mortality; [2]  to increase the percentage of students who abstain from any type of substance use;   [3] to reduce the percentage of alcohol-related traffic fatalities; and [4] to combine efforts with mental health teams in combating substance abuse within the state.   We now recognize that mental illness and substance abuse may be interrelated.  In Arizona it has been shown that at least 50% of persons with psychiatric disorders also have a co-occurring substance-use disorder, and at least 35% of persons with substance-use disorders also have a psychiatric disorder.  That is why we believe that a major change in our behavioral health system is necessary of we are to effectively combat substance abuse. ⁽⁴⁾

• Alcohol Consumption
• Alcoholism
• Amphetamine Abuse
• Anabolic Steroids
• Club Drugs
• Cocaine Abuse
• Drug Abuse
• Heroin Abuse
• Marijuana Abuse
• Pregnancy and Substance Abuse
• Prescription Drug Abuse
• Smokeless Tobacco
• Smoking