A Detailed Overview of Age Groups that Use Drugs the Most, and the Questions Why

The Office of Supplied Studies performed a startling survey of drug users in the United States. In 2001, the survey stated 15.9 million Americans older than 12 had used drugs the previous month. That may not be a surprise, but, of these drug users, the highest rates of drug abuse in the month prior were for Americans aged 18-20-in other words, those finishing high school, and getting their first jobs or going to college. It is safe to assume a good number of these aged 18-20 are college students, and it is also safe to say that drug addiction is rampant in many universities. This article will overview these statistics, and engage readers on how to battle drug addiction in college.

In the survey noted earlier, not only was it stated drug use was most rampant among the 18-20 year old group, but that over twenty percent of those in the age group had used drugs in the past month. The survey pointed out that the more than half of drug users smoke marijuana. So, not only are college students apt to use drugs, but, specifically, often their drug of choice is marijuana.

The next statistical row on the Supplied Studies graph shows that, when the students move on to careers, there is a decline in drug use. Why is this? It could be a simple case of experimentation, or perhaps a case of peer pressure. Where would peer pressure be worse than at a college? Beyond just under age drinking, marijuana is an incredibly popular drug among college students.