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210605
Table 4.1D – Past Year Initiation of Marijuana Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Marijuana Use, and among Past Year Marijuana Users Aged 12 or Older; by Demographic Characteristics, Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Demographic
Characteristic		 Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among
People Aged 12 or Older		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among People at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
TOTAL 130 178 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.26 0.35
AGE GROUP                
12-25 86 136 0.15 0.23 0.22 0.34 0.54 0.89
12-17 58 89 0.23 0.35 0.26 0.39 1.37 2.81
12-13 16 22 0.19 0.26 0.20 0.26 5.06 *
14-15 36 73 0.41 0.83 0.45 0.88 2.42 5.10
16-17 45 55 0.50 0.70 0.63 0.86 1.72 3.06
18 or Older 116 154 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.25 0.32
18-25 65 104 0.19 0.31 0.37 0.58 0.52 0.86
18-20 56 90 0.37 0.68 0.58 1.04 1.03 1.96
21-25 40 60 0.19 0.28 0.42 0.61 0.51 0.74
26 or Older 94 111 0.04 0.05 0.08 0.10 0.28 0.31
GENDER                
Male 84 115 0.06 0.09 0.13 0.16 0.31 0.43
Female 92 136 0.06 0.10 0.11 0.17 0.43 0.59
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 38 57 0.30 0.45 0.33 0.48 1.84 3.78
Female 12-17 42 66 0.35 0.53 0.38 0.59 2.01 3.96
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.2D – Past Year Initiation of Cigarette Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Cigarette Use, and among Past Year Cigarette Users Aged 12 or Older; by Demographic Characteristics, Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Demographic
Characteristic		 Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among
People Aged 12 or Older		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among People at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
TOTAL 79 110 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.15 0.22
AGE GROUP                
12-25 71 99 0.12 0.17 0.16 0.22 0.68 1.13
12-17 38 54 0.15 0.22 0.16 0.23 2.24 4.55
12-13 13 11 0.16 0.13 0.16 0.13 * *
14-15 21 28 0.24 0.32 0.26 0.34 4.24 *
16-17 30 42 0.35 0.53 0.39 0.59 2.85 5.58
18 or Older 67 98 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.20
18-25 56 84 0.17 0.25 0.28 0.40 0.64 1.11
18-20 51 70 0.34 0.54 0.46 0.71 1.49 2.85
21-25 31 52 0.15 0.24 0.30 0.42 0.51 0.97
26 or Older 25 45 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.11
GENDER                
Male 56 75 0.04 0.06 0.10 0.13 0.19 0.28
Female 51 82 0.04 0.06 0.07 0.11 0.20 0.35
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 28 44 0.22 0.34 0.24 0.37 3.21 *
Female 12-17 24 32 0.20 0.26 0.21 0.27 2.94 5.62
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.3D – Past Year Initiation of Alcohol Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Alcohol Use, and among Past Year Alcohol Users Aged 12 or Older; by Demographic Characteristics, Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Demographic
Characteristic		 Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among
People Aged 12 or Older		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among People at
Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year
Initiates among Past Year
Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
TOTAL 136 202 0.05 0.07 0.24 0.34 0.08 0.11
AGE GROUP                
12-25 120 180 0.20 0.31 0.39 0.59 0.40 0.60
12-17 73 117 0.29 0.47 0.35 0.56 1.10 2.08
12-13 23 39 0.28 0.45 0.30 0.47 3.57 *
14-15 49 73 0.53 0.81 0.61 0.95 1.89 3.85
16-17 54 90 0.60 1.09 0.85 1.50 1.38 2.82
18 or Older 105 160 0.04 0.06 0.28 0.41 0.06 0.09
18-25 88 136 0.26 0.41 0.85 1.31 0.35 0.57
18-20 77 102 0.50 0.78 1.00 1.50 0.86 1.45
21-25 62 105 0.29 0.48 1.54 2.27 0.35 0.60
26 or Older 40 56 0.02 0.03 0.14 0.19 0.03 0.04
GENDER                
Male 89 119 0.07 0.09 0.35 0.44 0.10 0.14
Female 95 163 0.07 0.11 0.29 0.51 0.11 0.18
GENDER/AGE GROUP                
Male 12-17 49 71 0.38 0.56 0.46 0.66 1.60 2.93
Female 12-17 51 93 0.42 0.76 0.50 0.91 1.45 3.16
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.4D – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older, among People Aged 12 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 12 or Older; Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 12 or Older		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 130 178 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.26 0.35
Cocaine 56 59 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.99 1.17
Crack 27 23 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 3.41 *
Heroin 18 58 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 2.37 *
Hallucinogens 82 133 0.03 0.05 0.04 0.06 1.21 1.65
LSD 70 104 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.04 2.28 3.27
PCP 9 27 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 * *
Ecstasy 56 84 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03 1.88 2.88
Inhalants 54 79 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03 2.28 3.11
Methamphetamine 33 41 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 1.63 1.60
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 113 136 0.04 0.05 nr nr 1.06 1.42
Stimulants 63 112 0.02 0.04 nr nr 1.16 2.14
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 78 149 0.03 0.05 nr nr 1.41 2.52
Sedatives 49 108 0.02 0.04 nr nr 3.97 *
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 79 110 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.15 0.22
Daily Cigarette Use 51 78 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.04 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 68 95 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.59 1.04
CIGARS 100 132 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.45 0.68
ALCOHOL 136 202 0.05 0.07 0.24 0.34 0.08 0.11
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.5D – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 to 17, among People Aged 12 to 17 at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 12 to 17; Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 12 to 17		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 58 89 0.23 0.35 0.26 0.39 1.37 2.81
Cocaine 14 26 0.05 0.10 0.05 0.10 * *
Crack 7 2 0.03 0.01 0.03 0.01 * *
Heroin * * * * * * * *
Hallucinogens 26 41 0.11 0.16 0.11 0.16 3.80 *
LSD 23 34 0.09 0.14 0.09 0.14 4.47 *
PCP 7 * 0.03 * 0.03 * * *
Ecstasy 19 19 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 * *
Inhalants 28 57 0.11 0.23 0.12 0.25 2.88 5.91
Methamphetamine 7 4 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.02 * *
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 26 33 0.10 0.13 nr nr 3.38 *
Stimulants 26 26 0.11 0.10 nr nr 4.18 *
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 22 33 0.09 0.13 nr nr 4.39 *
Sedatives 7 8 0.03 0.03 nr nr * *
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 38 54 0.15 0.22 0.16 0.23 2.24 4.55
Daily Cigarette Use 12 14 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.06 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 29 29 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 3.20 *
CIGARS 34 58 0.14 0.23 0.14 0.24 2.77 5.05
ALCOHOL 73 117 0.29 0.47 0.35 0.56 1.10 2.08
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.6D – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 18 or Older, among People Aged 18 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 18 or Older; Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 18 or Older		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 116 154 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.25 0.32
Cocaine 53 51 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.97 1.04
Crack 27 23 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 3.36 *
Heroin 18 58 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 2.37 *
Hallucinogens 77 127 0.03 0.05 0.04 0.06 1.27 1.71
LSD 65 98 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.04 2.46 3.44
PCP 6 27 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01 * *
Ecstasy 55 82 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.04 1.95 2.90
Inhalants 44 56 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 2.88 3.14
Methamphetamine 33 41 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 1.63 1.60
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 109 129 0.04 0.05 nr nr 1.09 1.41
Stimulants 57 107 0.02 0.04 nr nr 1.17 2.18
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 75 146 0.03 0.06 nr nr 1.46 2.57
Sedatives 49 108 0.02 0.04 nr nr 4.24 *
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 67 98 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.09 0.12 0.20
Daily Cigarette Use 50 78 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.05 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 62 91 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.56 1.03
CIGARS 93 119 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.44 0.63
ALCOHOL 105 160 0.04 0.06 0.28 0.41 0.06 0.09
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.7D – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 18 to 25, among People Aged 18 to 25 at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 18 to 25; Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 18 to 25		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 65 104 0.19 0.31 0.37 0.58 0.52 0.86
Cocaine 42 47 0.12 0.14 0.14 0.15 2.12 2.99
Crack 6 14 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.04 * *
Heroin 8 8 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 * *
Hallucinogens 54 103 0.16 0.31 0.19 0.35 1.93 3.29
LSD 46 81 0.14 0.24 0.15 0.26 3.01 4.76
PCP 6 27 0.02 0.08 0.02 0.08 * *
Ecstasy 41 54 0.12 0.16 0.13 0.18 2.84 5.27
Inhalants 30 38 0.09 0.11 0.10 0.12 3.87 *
Methamphetamine 14 17 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.05 4.44 *
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 34 50 0.10 0.15 nr nr 1.66 3.35
Stimulants 37 50 0.11 0.15 nr nr 1.58 2.79
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 38 55 0.11 0.16 nr nr 2.42 4.18
Sedatives 11 23 0.03 0.07 nr nr * *
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 56 84 0.17 0.25 0.28 0.40 0.64 1.11
Daily Cigarette Use 25 48 0.08 0.14 0.09 0.16 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 37 84 0.11 0.25 0.13 0.29 1.36 3.58
CIGARS 64 72 0.19 0.22 0.26 0.29 1.04 1.63
ALCOHOL 88 136 0.26 0.41 0.85 1.31 0.35 0.57
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.8D – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 26 or Older, among People Aged 26 or Older at Risk for Initiation of Substance Use, and among Past Year Substance Users Aged 26 or Older; Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Percentages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year Initiates
(1,000s)		 Percentage of
Past Year Initiates among People
Aged 26 or Older		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among People at Risk for Initiation		 Percentage of Past Year Initiates
among Past Year Users
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 94 111 0.04 0.05 0.08 0.10 0.28 0.31
Cocaine 32 23 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.88 0.63
Crack 26 18 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 * *
Heroin 16 57 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.03 2.40 *
Hallucinogens 47 74 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.04 1.43 1.69
LSD 44 45 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 3.90 3.58
PCP * * * * * * * *
Ecstasy 36 60 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03 2.53 3.29
Inhalants 30 42 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 3.54 3.28
Methamphetamine 29 37 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 1.69 1.56
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 105 117 0.05 0.05 nr nr 1.31 1.51
Stimulants 45 94 0.02 0.04 nr nr 1.68 2.93
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 64 136 0.03 0.06 nr nr 1.73 3.05
Sedatives 47 106 0.02 0.05 nr nr 4.92 *
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 25 45 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.11
Daily Cigarette Use 43 64 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.05 -- --
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 50 35 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.59 0.51
CIGARS 69 94 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.43 0.62
ALCOHOL 40 56 0.02 0.03 0.14 0.19 0.03 0.04
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.9C – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 or Older Who Initiated Use Prior to Age 18, Prior to Age 21, and at Age 21 or Older; Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands, 2019 and 2020
Substance People Who Initiated Use
Prior to Age 18		 People Who Initiated Use
Prior to Age 21		 People Who Initiated Use
at Age 21 or Older
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 68 92 87 128 104 125
Cocaine 17 28 38 44 42 40
Crack 7 2 8 12 26 20
Heroin * * 4 7 17 58
Hallucinogens 27 43 52 95 58 93
LSD 24 38 41 70 54 73
PCP 7 5 8 23 * 15
Ecstasy 20 20 35 45 44 70
Inhalants 29 59 35 63 40 50
Methamphetamine 7 4 13 15 30 38
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 28 * 39 * 108 126
Stimulants 28 * 42 * 49 98
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 24 * 36 * 67 141
Sedatives * * * * 48 107
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 42 57 69 90 38 64
Daily Cigarette Use 13 18 23 36 46 74
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 31 30 43 84 55 46
CIGARS 39 61 73 86 74 106
ALCOHOL 88 129 118 167 69 114
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.
210605
Table 4.10D – Past Year Initiation of Substance Use: Among People Aged 12 to 49; Mean Age at First Substance Use: Among Past Year Initiates Aged 12 to 49; by Gender, Standard Errors of Numbers in Thousands and Standard Errors of Averages, 2019 and 2020
Substance Number of Past Year
Initiates (1,000s)		 Mean Age among Past Year
Initiates		 Mean Age among Past Year
Male Initiates		 Mean Age among Past Year
Female Initiates
2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020
ILLICIT DRUGS nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Marijuana 115 161 0.38 0.51 0.63 0.78 0.44 0.62
Cocaine 56 59 0.61 0.91 0.84 0.49 0.85 1.74
Crack 18 23 2.00 3.73 2.56 * 3.08 *
Heroin 11 58 2.53 * * * * *
Hallucinogens 77 130 0.50 0.67 0.64 0.61 0.82 1.09
LSD 67 103 0.47 0.88 0.65 1.34 0.56 1.08
PCP 9 27 0.70 * 0.81 * * *
Ecstasy 53 82 0.50 1.37 0.59 1.86 0.86 1.98
Inhalants 54 78 0.57 0.95 0.83 1.57 0.78 0.87
Methamphetamine 23 34 1.39 3.92 2.10 4.59 1.72 1.71
Misuse of Prescription Psychotherapeutics nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Pain Relievers 77 104 0.75 1.55 1.15 2.64 0.86 1.16
Stimulants 60 76 0.64 1.30 0.76 1.96 1.10 1.83
Tranquilizers or Sedatives nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Tranquilizers 61 104 0.77 1.13 1.32 1.78 0.92 1.23
Sedatives 22 45 2.47 2.63 2.99 2.44 3.52 4.38
Benzodiazepines -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Opioids nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana1 nr nr nr nr nr nr nr nr
CIGARETTES 76 110 0.26 0.42 0.27 0.48 0.47 0.63
Daily Cigarette Use 41 73 1.07 0.84 0.89 0.92 1.84 1.26
SMOKELESS TOBACCO 59 96 0.54 0.79 0.59 1.10 1.01 0.94
CIGARS 92 116 0.39 0.89 0.45 1.18 0.70 1.07
ALCOHOL 129 189 0.11 0.15 0.11 0.20 0.20 0.23
* = low precision; -- = not available; da = does not apply; nc = not comparable due to methodological changes; nr = not reported due to measurement issues.
NOTE: Estimates in the 2020 column are italicized to indicate caution should be used when comparing estimates between 2020 and prior years because of methodological changes for 2020. Due to these changes, significance testing between 2020 and prior years was not performed. See the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions for details.
NOTE: Methodological limitations preclude the estimation of past year initiates for aggregate substance use categories having at least one prescription psychotherapeutic, including categories for overall illicit drugs, misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics, tranquilizers or sedatives, opioids, and illicit drugs other than marijuana (see Chapter 3 of the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions).
1 Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana excludes respondents who used only marijuana but includes those who used marijuana in addition to other illicit drugs.
Definitions: Measures and terms are defined in Appendix A.
Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019 and Quarters 1 and 4, 2020.

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