Baby boomers fuel jump in pot use

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 5/5/04 | Lindsey Tanner

[qam1]

CHICAGO -- Habitual marijuana use increased among U.S. adults over the past decade, particularly among young minorities and baby boomers, government figures show.

The prevalence of marijuana abuse or dependence climbed from 1.2 percent of adults in 1991-92 to 1.5 percent in 2001-02, or an estimated 3 million adults 18 and over.

That represents an increase of 800,000 people, according to data from two nationally representative surveys that each queried more than 40,000 adults.

Among 18- to 29-year-olds, the rate of abuse or dependence remained stable among whites but surged by about 220 percent among black men and women, to 4.5 percent of that population, and by almost 150 percent among Latino men, to 4.7 percent.

Among all adults ages 45 to 64, the rate increased by 355 percent, to about 0.4 percent of that population. The report, published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association, was led by Wilson Compton of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who said the rise in dependence was probably due at least partly to increases in the potency of pot over the past decade.

Also, the figures may indicate that baby boomers "bring their bad habits with them into old age," he said. The researchers said adults were considered marijuana abusers if repeated use of the drug hurt their ability to function at work, in school or in social situations, or created drug-related legal problems.

Drug users were considered dependent if they experienced increased tolerance of marijuana, used it compulsively and continued using it despite drug-related physical or psychological problems.

Overall use of the drug -- that is, casual use and habitual use -- remained stable at around 4 percent of adults.

"This study suggests that we need to develop ways to monitor the continued rise in marijuana abuse and dependence and strengthen existing prevention and intervention efforts," said Nora Volkow, the institute's director. Programs that target young black and Latino adults are particularly needed, she said.

Increases in dependence among young minorities may reflect their growing assimilation into sectors of white society where marijuana use is more accepted, Compton said.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism contributed to the report.

[robertpaulsen]

"We'll never know what you think if you keep squirming to evade my questions."

I'm squirming because your questions are giving me a pain in the a$$.

I told you. I'm tired of your questions. Figure out a way to turn them into statements.

[tertiary01]

I don't know about this. As a child in the 1950's, many of my older brothers friends used to go to black jazz clubs in San Francisco, where they said pot smoking was prevalent.

Also, almost all the old pot smoking boomers I knew are dead. They really seemed to have a short life span.

[robertpaulsen]

"The fact that A CA Guy was referring to a legal product is of no clear relevance to my question to him."

I agree. But that doesn't mean you can take his answer and apply it to all recreational drugs.

[Protagoras]

Because people smoke pot to get high.

What do you do to get high?

Do you have any other areas of interest? Or is it just the nagging feeling that somewhere, someone is feeling better than they previously did?

[robertpaulsen]

"You've offered nothing other than your opinion in support of your definition of "abuse."

Which you told me I'm not entitled to because "you think" professionals wouldn't agree.

You're using an illegal drug to get high? You're abusing it.

[tertiary01]

Sure. Just take a tour of your local Mental Hospital and look at all the people of all age groups who did not survive their pot smoking days. Almost all have one thing in common, they smoked pot in their early years (usually by age fifteen), and then nutted up later on.
Personally I don't know any more old boomer everyday pot smokers, all have been dead for years.

[tertiary01]

This guy is on every drug thread. He likes Meth. Go figure.

[The kings dead]

that doesn't mean you can take his answer and apply it to all recreational drugs.

It does until someone states a relevant reason why I can't.

[Modernman]

Love the wood panelling on the walls, though. Very 70's, looks like someone's basement. You gotta lover Federal Government interior decorating.

[Modernman]

So if one drinks to alter one's mental state, one is abusing alcohol?

Or, if one prays to alter one's mental state, one is abusing Jesus?

[The kings dead]

You've offered nothing other than your opinion in support of your definition of "abuse."

Which you told me I'm not entitled to

I told you nothing of the kind.

[robertpaulsen]

"Or is it just the nagging feeling that somewhere, someone is feeling better than they previously did?"

Like this guy? Yeah, I'm jealous.

[The kings dead]

He likes Meth.

Who does?

[The kings dead]

Almost all have one thing in common, they smoked pot in their early years (usually by age fifteen), and then nutted up later on.

Which can be explained as follows: from an early age they had a progressive mental disease, which by 15 got bad enough for them to attempt self-medication with pot, but didn't until later get bad enough for them to be hospitalized.

Personally I don't know any more old boomer everyday pot smokers, all have been dead for years.

How many boomer everyday pot smokers have you known, and what did they die of?

[cherry]

"This study suggests that we need to develop ways to monitor the continued rise in marijuana abuse and dependence and strengthen existing prevention and intervention efforts,"

NO we don't .....

if baby boomers are drug adled, so be it....I have long suspected that my generation is a creepy one...

if they don't know better by now, no monitoring or education will help.....maybe prison....

[tertiary01]

Do you remember what I said a few days ago or are the drugs eating away your "brain"? "I DON'T ARGUE WITH METH USERS".
I don't remember contacting you anyway. If the shoe doesn't fit why do you respond?

[Protagoras]

Hmmm,, the subject is pot, and no one asked you if you were jealous.

[Protagoras]

To: robertpaulsen This guy is on every drug thread. He likes Meth. Go figure.

Correct, robertpaulsen is on every drug thread, go figure.

[robertpaulsen]

"This guy is on every drug thread. He likes Meth. Go figure."

This guy IS every drug thread. He is the infamous, nay notorious, banned MrLeRoy, who keeps sneaking back under a different alias.

A legend, he is. Some say a paid Soros spammner. Some call him a troll. He claims a PdD, yet babbles like a third grader.

As happened a dozen times already, he'll be gone soon. But like a locust, only quicker, he'll re-emerge from hiding to again plague the boards.

[tertiary01]

But he doesn't like Meth. You took my statement out of context, and used it against an innocent person. A real manipulative behavior.
The real perp has now given up on others and is now focusing on me. Real textbook!!