August 18, 1999
Web posted at: 1:12 a.m. EDT (0512 GMT)

From Correspondent Terry Frieden at the Justice Department

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Illegal drug use declined among younger teens in the United States last year, but increased slightly among young adults, according to the government's annual drug use survey to be released Wednesday.

The use of illicit drugs among 12 to 17 year olds dropped from 11.4 percent in 1997 to 9.9 percent in 1998. However, among 18 to 25 year olds, drug use increased from 14.7 percent to 16.1 percent during the same period.

The mixed results in the HHS-sponsored 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reflect a continuing widespread drug problem, but a hopeful sign that the anti-drug message may be reaching those in their early teens.

"The fact that the numbers are best for the youngest (12-17) group is a harbinger that use will continue to fall as this group grows older," said White House Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey.

Methamphetamine use by the 12-17 year old group dropped a significant amount, from 1.2 percent to 0.6 percent according to the survey.

McCaffrey and HHS Secretary Donna Shalala are scheduled to release details of the drug survey at a Washington news conference 10 a.m. Wednesday.

McCaffrey, however, expressed concern about drug use by 18 to 25 year olds. The number of cocaine users jumped from 1.2 percent to 2.0 percent during 1998.

"They may be expected to continue to show a relatively higher rate of use as they age," McCaffrey said of the young adults.

The study also cited a slight increase in marijuana use among Americans 35 and older continuing a pattern over the past four years.

Cocaine use by hispanics and marijuana use by African Americans increased significantly in 1998, according to the survey.

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