In 1997, an estimated 16.8 million people (8%
of the surveyed population) reported ever using LSD, and 2 million people
(0.9%) reported using LSD in the past year (OAS, 1998d, Tables 134A, 134B,
144A, and 144B). Between 1996 and 1997, no statistically significant differences
in the rates of use were found for any age or racial/ethnic group for lifetime,
past year, and past month use of LSD.
The main findings regarding LSD use are as follows:
Lifetime LSD use was reported equally often by 18
to 25 year olds (13%) and 26 to 34 year olds (12%), and least often by
youths aged 12 to 17 (5%). Past year LSD use was highest among adolescents
(3%) and young adults (4%).
Overall and for all of the adult age groups, males
were significantly more likely than their female counterparts to report
ever using LSD. This relationship also was found for past year use in the
total population and the 18 to 25 age group.
Overall and among all age groups, whites
reported greater prevalence of LSD use in
their lifetime than
blacks and Hispanics; furthermore, Hispanics
reported greater lifetime use than
blacks in the overall population and in the
two youngest age groups. In the total sample and the two younger age groups,
whites
and Hispanics reported higher past year use than blacks;
in the two younger age groups, statistically significant differences also
were found in past year rates between whites
and Hispanics.
