Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that use of illicit drugs has increased from 2008 to 2010 spurred on primarily by an increase in marijuana use across the nation. Marijuana users increased from 14.4 million in 2007 to 17.4 million in 2010. Additionally the 18 to 25 age group saw a rise of illicit drug use from 19.6 percent in 2008 to 21.5 percent in 2010 an increasingly alarming number.
“We stand at a crossroads in our nation’s efforts to prevent substance abuse and addiction,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “These statistics represent real lives that are at risk from the harmful and sometimes devastating effects of illicit drug use. This nation cannot afford to risk losing more individuals, families and communities to illicit drugs or from other types of substance abuse — instead, we must do everything we can to effectively promote prevention, treatment and recovery programs across our country.”
More alarmingly is the prescription pain killer epidemic. Fifty five percent of all prescription pain killer users report receiving them from a friend or relative and not a drug dealer.
