In 2009, an estimated 21.8 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 8.7 percent of the population aged 12 or older. Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically.
In 2009, there were 7.0 million (2.8 percent) persons aged 12 or older who used prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs nonmedically in the past month. These estimates were higher than in 2008 (6.2 million or 2.5 percent), but similar to estimates in 2007 (6.9 million or 2.8 percent).
Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2009, there were 16.7 million past month users. Among persons aged 12 or older, the rate of past month marijuana use and the number of users in 2009 (6.6 percent or 16.7 million) were higher than in 2008 (6.1 percent or 15.2 million) and in 2007 (5.8 percent or 14.4 million).
Among those aged 50 to 59, the rate of past month illicit drug use increased from 2.7 percent in 2002 to 6.2 percent in 2009. This trend partially reflects the aging into this age group of the baby boom cohort, whose lifetime rate of illicit drug use is higher than those of older cohorts.
Among persons aged 12 or older in 2008-2009 who used pain relievers nonmedically in the past 12 months, 55.3 percent got the drug they most recently used from a friend or relative for free. Another 17.6 percent reported they got the drug from one doctor. Only 4.8 percent got pain relievers from a drug dealer or other stranger, and 0.4 percent bought them on the Internet. Among those who reported getting the pain reliever from a friend or relative for free, 80.0 percent reported in a follow-up question that the friend or relative had obtained the drugs from just one doctor.
Among unemployed adults aged 18 or older in 2009, 17.0 percent were current illicit drug users, which was higher than the 8.0 percent of those employed full time and 11.5 percent of those employed part time. However, most illicit drug users were employed. Of the 19.3 million current illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2009, 12.9 million (66.6 percent) were employed either full or part time. The number of unemployed illicit drug users increased from 1.3 million in 2007 to 1.8 million in 2008 and 2.5 million in 2009, primarily because of an overall increase in the number of unemployed persons.
In 2009, 10.5 million persons aged 12 or older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the past year. This corresponds to 4.2 percent of the population aged 12 or older, which is similar to the rate in 2008 (4.0 percent) and the rate in 2002 (4.7 percent). In 2009, the rate was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (12.8 percent).
Statistics from http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9ResultsP.pdf
Know The Law:
ALCOHOL Driving under the influence (driving while intoxicated, drunk driving, operating under the influence, drinking and driving, drink-driving, impaired driving) is the act of operating any motorized machinery after consuming alcohol or other drugs. DUI or DWI are synonymous terms that represent the criminal offense of operating (or in some jurisdictions merely being in physical control of) a motor vehicle while being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of both.
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 or above.
Possible penalties for a first misdemeanor DUI can include:
- Jail for up to 180 days;
- Probation for up to 1 year (however; the total period of probation and incarceration may not exceed 1 year);
- A fine of $250 – $500;
- License suspension for 6 months – 1 year;
- 50 hours of community service (in the alternative may pay $10 per hour of community service);
- DUI School, Level 1;
- One of Defendant's cars will be impounded for 10 days.
Penalties can be more severe for a higher BAC (over .15%) and prior DUI convictions.
See: http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/duilaws.html
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES Possession of a Controlled Substance, which could be cocaine, heroin, meth, ecstasy, or other illegal drugs is a 3rd Degree Felony in Florida. A Third degree penalty carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in jail and up to a $5000 fine.
Ref: Florida Criminal Statute – §893.13(6)(a)
MARIJUANA The following penalties apply to drug possession charges in Florida:
Possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a First Degree Misdemeanor. A 1st degree misdemeanor has a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a $1000 fine.
Ref: Florida Criminal Statute – §893.13(6)(b)
Possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a Third Degree Felony. A 3rd degree felony has a maximum penalty of 5 year in jail and a $5000 fine.
Ref: Florida Criminal Statute – §893.13(6)(a)
PRECRIPTION DRUGS You can be charged with illegal possession of prescription drugs if you don't have a legitimate doctor's prescription for any pills in you possession (including person, vehicle, home) Penalties depend on the exact substance you have and the amount, but many prescriptions are either opiates (pain killers) or stimulants, and could be a third degree felony.
Website: www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes
