2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DRUG USE

During the past MONTH, how many times did you use illegal drugs (such as marijuana, cocaine, or pills)?

Gender

Responses

2001

1998

1993

1990

1988

Female

0 Times

82.6%

81.2%

87.0%

90.4%

90.0%

1 to 2 Times

8.1%

7.1%

5.6%

4.4%

4.4%

3 to 5 Times

2.7%

5.5%

2.6%

3.6%

2.7%

6 to 10 Times

2.1%

2.7%

1.8%

0.5%

1.5%

11 or More Times

4.5%

3.5%

3.0%

1.0%

1.0%

Male

0 Times

68.0%

66.5%

77.6%

82.1%

84.7%

1 to 2 Times

13.0%

11.1%

8.1%

6.4%

6.9%

3 to 5 Times

8.2%

8.0%

5.5%

3.7%

3.3%

6 to 10 Times

4.7%

4.8%

2.6%

1.3%

1.6%

11 or More Times

6.1%

9.6%

5.5%

6.0%

3.4%

This item is a cumulative item that addresses a broad category of all illegal drugs.  As is common in the literature, males use more substances than females.  National profiles have indicated that some illegal drug use such as marijuana is on the rise.  Indications in the Alabama data seem to follow the national profile.  Thirty-two percent of males and 17% of females used illegal drugs during the MONTH prior to the survey.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DRUG USE

On how many occasions (if any) have you ever used anabolic steroids (Anavar, Winstrol, Dianabol, etc.) to enhance physique or athletic performance?

Gender

Responses

2001

1998

1990

Female

Never

94.9%

96.9%

96.4%

1 to 2 Times

1.8%

1.2%

1.2%

3 to 5 Times

1.7%

1.2%

1.0%

6 to 9 Times

0.8%

0.5%

0.6%

10 to 19 Times

0.7%

0.1%

0.5%

More Than 20 Times

0.1%

0.1%

0.2%

Male

0 Times

80.0%

89.7%

87.0%

1 to 2 Times

8.0%

4.1%

4.8%

3 to 5 Times

5.8%

2.4%

2.2%

6 to 9 Times

2.6%

2.0%

1.8%

10 to 19 Times

1.9%

0.3%

1.0%

More Than 20 Times

1.8%

1.7%

2.8%

Data not present for 1993 and 1988.

Approximately twenty percent of 9th and 10th grade male students reported using steroids on at least one occasion while about five percent of females reported similarly.  Some students may be including over the counter performance enhancing drugs as part of their response to this item.  It is clear that substantial percentages of males are consuming substances to enhance their physical performance.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DRUG USE

Have you (not a doctor or nurse) ever used a needle to inject yourself with a drug?

Gender

Responses

2001

1998

Female

Never

93.7%

95.9%

Once

2.0%

1.9%

3 to 5 Times

2.9%

1.0%

More Than 5 Times

1.4%

1.1%

Male

Never

84.3%

88.2%

Once

7.0%

4.7%

3 to 5 Times

5.5%

3.7%

More Than 5 Times

3.1%

3.1%

Needle injection in a non-medical setting is a high-risk behavior.  This is especially true among adolescent populations who are more likely to share needles.  Sixteen percent of males indicated that they had injected themselves with a drug.  This was a four percent increase from 1998.

2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey State Report

DRUG USE

At what grade level did you try marijuana (grass, pot) or hashish?

Gender

Responses

2001

1998

1993

1990

Female

Never

73.1%

67.9%

80.4%

82.8%

Grade 4 or Earlier

2.0%

1.5%

1.3%

2.2%

Grade 5 or 6

3.5%

4.1%