In 1997, an estimated 6.5 million people (3%
of the surveyed population) reported ever using PCP, and 369,000 people
(0.2%) reported using PCP in the past year (see Table 2.1). Between 1996
and 1997, no statistically significant differences were found for any age
group for lifetime, past year, and past month use of PCP (OAS, 1998d, Tables
134B to 138B, 144B to 148B, and 154B to 158B).
The main findings regarding PCP use are as follows:
Lifetime PCP use was reported about equally often
by 26 to 34 year olds (3%) and by those 35 or older (3%), and least often
by youths aged 12 to 17 (1%).
Overall and for those aged 35 or older, males were
significantly more likely than their female counterparts to report ever
using PCP.
Overall and among those aged 18 to 34, whites
reported greater prevalence of PCP use in
their lifetime than blacks.
In the overall population, whites
also reported greater lifetime use than Hispanics.
In the overall population, lifetime PCP use was significantly
more common in the West than in the South and Northeast.
Among those aged 18 to 25 and those aged 35 or older,
respondents who were in the "other" employment category reported lower
levels of lifetime PCP use than did respondents in the other three employment
categories (full-time, part-time, and unemployed).
