Pubdate: Fri, 08 Sep 2006 Source: Charlotte Observer (NC) Copyright: 2006 The Charlotte Observer Contact: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78 Author: Kevin Frekkink, Associated Press Note: The survey is on line at http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUHlatest.htm Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/baby+boomers Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Marijuana - Popular) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John) DRUG MESSAGE IS LOST ON SOME MESSENGERS Illicit Use Is Up For Ages 50-59, While Those 12-17 Show Decline WASHINGTON - Some moms and dads might want to take a lesson from their kids: Just say no. The government reported Thursday that 4.4 percent of baby boomers ages 50 to 59 indicated they had used illicit drugs in the past month. It marks the third consecutive yearly increase recorded for that age group by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Meanwhile, illicit drug use among youths ages 12-17 went down for the third consecutive year -- from 11.6 percent in 2002 to 9.9 percent in 2005. "Rarely have we seen a story like this where this is such an obvious contrast as one generation goes off stage right, and entering stage left is a generation that learned a lesson somehow and they're doing something very different," said David Murray, special assistant to the director for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The annual survey on drug use and health involves interviews of about 67,500 people. It provides an important snapshot of how many Americans drink, smoke and use drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. Overall, drug use remained relatively unchanged among Americans age 12 and older in 2005. About 19.7 million Americans reported they had used an illicit drug in the past month, which represented a rise from 7.9 percent to 8.1 percent. The increase was not only due to the boomers, but an increase was also seen among those 18-25, the age category that always ranks highest when it comes to illicit drug use. Among the 18-25 group, drug use rose from 19.4 percent to 20.1 percent. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin