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.

[Wolfie]

See post #60. NIDA's playing fast and loose with the facts. No surprise, eh?

[CSM]

I don't expect consistency from any government agency, let alone with regards to the WOsD!

[metesky]

Generational animus is stupid and unproductive and smearing an entire generation with a broad brush is something only a simplistic child would do.

Both Klintoon and W are Boomers, the worst and the best.

How does one reconcile a universal slam? 58,000 dead Boomers in Vietnam.

[The kings dead]

Wow, great reason to increase the law enforcement against all things related to illegal drugs.

Yes, it's worked so well up to this point ....

[The kings dead]

Stick to drinking.

Acceptable if you don't get drunk while in public to get people hurt or at home while caring for kids.

So why is marijuana not acceptable so long as you don't get stoned while in public to get people hurt or at home while caring for kids?

[mongrel]

I'll agree with your point as soon as I see boomers develop as powerful a lobbying group as the AARP to accomplish social security reform.

Instead, boomers are joining in droves, whether they agree with the lobbying or not, to get the benefits.

Social security is the third rail in politics because no significant group of retirees or almost retirees will stand up to the others in the mostly selfish generation.

Painting with a broad brush is helpful in understanding trends. I don't think anyone on here is oversimplifying and saying that all members of a generation are the same. So the simplistic childish response (to use your words, BTW isn't that a form of generational animus?) is to discount larger trends and pretend they don't exist.

[metesky]

IMO, the SocSec thing is a neat little trap that the Rat's in Congress (with Pubbie help) created for many of us.

We all hate it, but at the same time we've paid in a small fortune over the years (45 years for me).

I'd take my chances without the piddling SS if it freed later generations from the onerous taxes that future years will require. They can even keep what I've paid in, I'd find money somewhere.

By the way, I despise the AARP. I think they keep sending their crap to me just for the entertainment value of my scorching replies.
;O)

[headsonpikes]

...help childern aviod this evil busines...

LOL!!

Kids - if you want to 'avoid evil', stay away from gubmint thugs!

[T.Smith]

"Instead, boomers are joining {AARP} in droves, whether they agree with the lobbying or not, to get the benefits."

So true!! My father, a hardcore conservative, is a member of AARP. I have tried and tried to explain to him the damage that group does, but all he will do is mumble about the benefits and change the subject. WTF?!?

[The kings dead]

My father, a hardcore conservative, is a member of AARP. I have tried and tried to explain to him the damage that group does, but all he will do is mumble about the benefits and change the subject.

Meaning no disrespect to your father, I must say it's easier to stick to your principles when it doesn't cost you anything. There are a lot of "conservative-buts" on FR: for smaller government except when it comes to guns, or drugs, or job protection, or ....

[Modernman]

So why is marijuana not acceptable so long as you don't get stoned while in public to get people hurt or at home while caring for kids?

I'm 28. Based on the people I know, marijuana seems to be treated like alcohol: if you use it and don't get violent or become a useless addict, nobody seems to care.

[The kings dead]

Nobody except "conservative" legislators.

[Skooz]

"Baby boomers fuel jump in pot use"

Duh.

I could have told them that. Hope they didn't spend too much money figuring this out.

[headsonpikes]

Just noticed your new tagline.

I was thinking that curtailing the 'freedom' to tax your betters could well be employed, without loss to the res publica.

[robertpaulsen]

Statistically, most pot smokers quit in their 30's.

Basically they grow up -- some don't.

[robertpaulsen]

"Why is it always called abuse?"

Because people smoke pot to get high.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Baby Boomers are the worst generation ever

This is a table full of baby boomers. So shut up, punk.

[robertpaulsen]

"It ain't the weed that that causes so many problems it's the illegality."

Hear, hear! Let's legalize pot so it can f' up as many lives as legal alcohol.

[The kings dead]

I was thinking that curtailing the 'freedom' to tax your betters could well be employed, without loss to the res publica.

Unfortunately, it's real freedoms he wants to curtail.

[The kings dead]

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