The United States is a drug culture. Americans use drugs on a regular basis to wake up in the morning (coffee and tea), get through the day (cigarettes), and to

relax at night (alcohol).

Newcomb& Bentler, 1989

Drug Definitions (1) Illicit Drugs: Drugs whose manufacture, sale,

or possession is illegal.

Licit Drugs: Drugs whose manufacture, sale, or possession is legal.

Drug Dependence: A condition which an individual feels a compulsive need to continue taking a drug. The drug assumes a central role in the individual’s life.

Drug Definitions (2)

Instrumental Use: Drug use for a specific purpose other than getting “high”.

Recreational Use: Drug use for the specific purpose of getting “high” or achieving some pleasurable effect.

Drug Definitions (3)

Drug Misuse: Drug taking behavior in which a prescription or nonprescription drug is used inappropriately.

Drug Abuse: Drug taking behavior resulting in some form of physical, mental, or social impairment.

Drugs in the 20th Century

1920’s -Prohibition

1940’s -Antibiotics (Post W.W.II)

1950’s - Antipsychotics Thorazine

-Alcohol and Nicotine increase

-Increase in marijuana, heroin, cocaine

1960’s - increase in all drug use

-Rebellion, defiance

-Mind expansion

Drugs in the 20th Century 1970’s - Heroin addiction/Methadone

-Increase in STD’s

-Increase in Cocaine use (Disco)

-Increase in IV drug use

-First Substance Abuse Treatment

1980’s - HIV, Hepatitis

-Just Say No

-Crack (1985)

-Crystal Meth. (late 1980’s)

Drugs in the 20th Century

1990’s - Decrease in drug use (early 90’s)

-Increase in drug use (late 90’s)

-Crystal Meth. use continues to rise

-Increase in Marijuana Use ( Mid l990’s)

-Marketing of Marijuana Use

-Needle exchange programs

-Raves (MDMA use increase)

-Increase in Heroin Use (Mid 1990’s)

Generational Forgetting

Perceived severity of drug use lowered

Cultural influences

Reduction in prevention and treatment services

Interdiction VS Treatment

National College Health Risk Behavior Survey1995

• 68.2% of college students drank at least one drink during the last 30 days

• Males (72. 9%) drink more than females (64.5%)

• 34.5% of college students drank 5 or more drinks on one occasion over the last 30 days.

• 32.4% of college students are current tobacco users

1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

• Surveyed 25,500 people 12 years and older

• Results:– Drop in illicit drug use among adolescents

(12 to 17 years old)– Drop in marijuana use (9.4% to 8.3%)– Drop in inahalant use (2% to 1.1%)

1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse

• Alcohol Use– 52% of people 12 and older reported using

alcohol– 29.2% reported participating binge drinking– 10.6% were heavy drinkers

• Tobacco Use– 1% increase in tobacco use among 18 to 25

year olds (41.6% to 40.6%)

National College Health Risk Behavior Survey1995

• 14 % of college students report using marijuana at least once during the last 30 days.

• < 1% of college students report using cocaine at least once during the last 30 days.

• 2.4 % of college students report using LSD, Mushrooms, Heroin at least once during the last 30 days

• 9.4 % of collage students report using alcohol and illegal drug in combination in the last 30 days

Why Do People Use Drugs

1. To have a good time with my friends

2. To experiment

3. To feel good, To get high

4. To relax and relieve tension

Risk Factors - Factors in an individual’s life that increase the likelihood of involvement with drugs.

Examples

- Peer influence

- Availability of drugs

- Feelings of hopelessness

- Drug use at an early age

- Adults who use drugs

- Low education aspirations

Protective Factors - Factors in an individual’s life that decrease the likelihood of involvement with drugs and reduce the impact that any risk factors may have.

Examples

- Parental guidance

-Positive educational experience

-Positive peer involvement

-Self Esteem

-Closeness to an adult outside the family

Racial Differences

• Caucasians lead in all areas of substance use

• Use lower among African Americans than Caucasians

• Latinos slightly higher use of Cocaine/Crack/heroin than Caucasions