Text: McCaffrey "Encouraged" by New Survey on Youth Drug Abuse

15 December 2000

Text: McCaffrey "Encouraged" by New Survey on Youth Drug Abuse

Cites "continued downward trend" in youth drug use

The results of a new U.S. survey show a "continued downward trend" in overall drug abuse among young people, according to Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). He issued his remarks in a December 14 news release.

Earlier in the day, McCaffrey joined Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Donna Shalala to announce the results of the annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) study.

"We are pleased that cocaine use among 12th graders has followed the recent reduction of cocaine abuse in younger age groups," said McCaffrey. "The decrease in heroin use among 8th graders is a good sign for the future toward reversing the heroin upsurge of recent years. However, the continuing increase of steroids among 10th graders is troubling. The MTF study also showed a huge increase in the use of MDMA (Ecstasy)."

Following is the text of the news release:

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nicole Harry/Bob Weiner, (202) 395-6618
Thursday, December 14, 2000

WHITE HOUSE DRUG CZAR McCAFFREY SAYS "MONITORING THE FUTURE" RESULTS SHOW COCAINE & HEROIN USE DOWN AMONG KEY YOUTH AGE GROUPS, BUT HUGE UPSURGE IN ECSTASY

DOWNWARD TREND IN OVERALL YOUTH DRUG USE CONTINUES

Washington, D.C. -- Barry R. McCaffrey, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, announced today, along with HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, the findings of the Monitoring the Future Study. The MTF Study is widely recognized as a strong index of youth drug use patterns and attitudes across the nation. The Study surveyed 45,000 8th, 10th, and 12th graders.

"We are greatly encouraged by the results of the MTF Study," said Director McCaffrey. "The National Drug Control Strategy is working. In combination with the Household and Pride Surveys released earlier this year, we have seen a continued downward trend in overall drug use among youth."

Among the Study's findings were:

-- Heroin use is down among 8th graders.

-- Cocaine use among 12th graders is down.

-- LSD use is down among 10th and 12th graders.

-- Hallucinogen use among all three grades is down.

-- Increased steroid use among 10th graders.

-- There is a significant increase in Ecstasy usage among all three grades, the largest percentage increase among 12th graders for any drug in the 26-year history of the MTF Study.

"We are pleased that cocaine use among 12th graders has followed the recent reduction of cocaine abuse in younger age groups," said McCaffrey. "The decrease in heroin use among 8th graders is a good sign for the future toward reversing the heroin upsurge of recent years. However the continuing increase of steroids among 10th graders is troubling. The MTF Study also showed a huge increase in the use of MDMA (Ecstasy) -- expanding beyond prior use solely at all-night rave clubs-among all three grades."

"Kids think Ecstasy is safe, but they are actually harming themselves in a major way," said Director McCaffrey. "They are destroying their memories, their hearts, their kidneys, and their nervous system, while risking immediate strokes and heart attacks. Risking permanent brain damage is not worth dancing the night away." McCaffrey added, "The huge increase in Ecstasy use is a concern that needs to be addressed, and the National Youth Media Campaign's radio and TV ads include targeting this new threat."

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