News
30 September, 2024
Drug use at 'all time high in 2023'
CANNABIS and hallucinogen use among adults aged 19 to 30 and 35 to 50 remained at historic highs in 2023, according to the Monitoring the Future survey.
CANNABIS and hallucinogen use among adults aged 19 to 30 and 35 to 50 remained at historic highs in 2023, according to the Monitoring the Future survey.
The study revealed that past-year cannabis and hallucinogen use stayed steady at elevated levels, while cigarette smoking continued to decline across both age groups. Vaping, particularly nicotine and cannabis vaping, has also grown in popularity, with record high rates reported among younger adults.
In 2023, for the first time, more women aged 19 to 30 reported past-year cannabis use than men, marking a significant shift in substance use trends between sexes. Among adults aged 35 to 50, men continued to report higher cannabis use than women, consistent with past years.
Hallucinogen use, including substances like LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin, continued its five-year upward trend, with 9 per cent of younger adults and 4 per cent of mid-life adults reporting use.
The survey also highlighted changes in alcohol consumption. Among adults aged 19 to 30, past-year alcohol use remained steady at 84 per cent, but binge drinking (defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row) and daily drinking were at all time lows in 2023.
Conversely, adults aged 35 to 50 saw an increase in binge drinking compared to five and 10 years ago, though daily drinking hit its lowest recorded level. Vaping remained prevalent in both age groups. Among younger adults, 22 per cent reported vaping cannabis in the past year, and nicotine vaping was reported by 25 per cent. In the 35 to 50 age group, nicotine vaping stayed steady, with 7 per cent reporting past-year use.
This contrasts with the decline in traditional cigarette smoking, which is at historic lows for both age groups. The Monitoring the Future study has been tracking substance use since 1975. Its findings underscore the shifting landscape of substance use, with rising interest in cannabis, hallucinogens, and vaping, and declining interest in cigarettes.
The study calls for further research into the long-term impacts of these trends on public health.
