Tables 6.6, 6.9, and 6.10 show that in
1997, 1.9% of persons aged 12 or older (about 4.1 million persons [see
Table 2.1 and OAS, 1998b, Table 10A]) had ever used prescription-type sedatives
for nonmedical reasons, 0.3% had used sedatives in the past year (638,000
persons), and 0.1% had done so in the past month (187,000 persons). The
patterns of use of these drugs among demographic subgroups were generally
similar to those for stimulants. Similar to lifetime stimulant use, lifetime
sedative use was most common among those aged 26 or older, and least common
among adolescents and young adults. No significant differences in rates
of sedative use were found by gender in any of the three time frames. Few
significant differences between regions, educational level, or employment
categories were found for past year and past month use.
