Pubdate: Thu, 06 Mar 2008
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2008 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Felisa Cardona

FED STATISTICS SHOW DROP IN ILLICIT DRUG USE AMONG YOUTHS

But Use By Coloradans Ages 18 To 25 Rose In The Period Ending In 2004-05.

The overall rate of illicit drug use by people 12 and  older dropped 
slightly from 2003-04 to 2004-05 in  Colorado, although the state was 
in the top five for  illicit drug use, federal statistics show.

Small declines in illicit drug use occurred among those  ages 12 to 
17 and adults 26 and older, according to a  report released Wednesday 
by the Substance Abuse and  Mental Health Services Administration.

"We'd like to say it's because of the good work we are  doing with 
prevention and treatment, but there may also  be issues with supply 
and availability because of the  crackdown on methamphetamine," said 
Tamara Hoxworth,  research analyst for the Colorado Drug and Alcohol 
Abuse Division.

While the numbers dropped overall, illicit drug use by  people in the 
18-to-25 age bracket rose 3.5 percent  from 2003-04 to 2004-05, the 
report said.

Hoxworth said 18- to 25-year-olds are typically the  group with the 
highest use because it's an age where  young people go off to college 
or are independent from  their families for the first time.

The federal report said Colorado was one of four states  to see 
marijuana use drop among those 12 and older.  Cocaine use also 
dropped in Colorado, one of only three  states to see the decline.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom