Three studies released recently by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reveal definite trends in illicit drug abuse and addiction in the United States. These are among the surveys’ major findings:

• 14.8 million Americans aged 12 years and older (6.7 percent) were current users of illicit drugs in 1999.

• 4.4 million Americans aged 12 to 17 (10.9 percent) reported illicit drug use in the 30 days prior to being surveyed.

• 66.8 million Americans aged 12 years and older (30.2 percent) were current users of tobacco products.

• 105 million Americans aged 12 and older (47.3 percent) were current users of alcohol.

• 6,400 people began using marijuana each day during 1998.

• 4,400 began using tobacco products each day during 1998.

• 554,932 people were admitted to emergency rooms due to illicit drug use.

• Adolescent drug/alcohol treatment admissions increased 45 percent from 1993 to 1998.

• Half of all adolescent treatment admissions were linked to marijuana use.

• Adolescent marijuana treatment admissions rose by 32 percent from 1993 to 1998.

• 70 percent of all adolescents who were admitted for drug treatment were male.

Sources: Annual National Household Survey, 1999; 1999 Drug Abuse Warning Network Report;Treatment Episodes Data Set, 1993-1998. SAMSHA, 2000.