On this page: About this objective | Methodology | History
About this objective
Data
National baseline: 15.2 percent of adults aged 18 years and over reported use of illicit drugs in the past 30 days in 2021
National target: 15.2 percent
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
From the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:
Numerator:
[The following questions are asked separately for each illicit drug: marijuana or hashish; cocaine; 'crack'; heroin; LSD, also called 'acid'; PCP, also called 'angel dust' or Phencyclidine; Peyote; Mescaline; Psilocybin; 'Ecstasy', also called MDMA; any other hallucinogens besides the ones that have been listed; Amyl nitrite, 'poppers,' locker room odorizers, or 'rush'; Correction fluid, degreaser, or cleaning fluid; Gasoline or lighter fluid; Glue, shoe polish, or toluene; Halothane, ether, or other paint solvents; Lighter gases, such as butane or propane; Nitrous oxide or 'whippets'; Spray paints; or Other aerosol sprays.]
Have you ever, even once, used [marijuana or hashish]?
- Yes
- No
- Within the past 30 days — that is, since [DATE]
- More than 30 days ago but within the past 12 months
- More than 12 months ago
[The following question is asked separately for non- medical use of the following: Darvocet, Darvon, or Tylenol with codeine; Percocet, Percodan, or Tylox; Vicodin, Lortab, or Lorcet]
Have you ever, even once, used [Darvocet, Darvon, or Tylenol with codeine] that was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Have you ever, even once, used any other prescription pain reliever, besides the ones shown on Card A, when it was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
- Within the past 30 days - that is, since [DATE]
- More than 30 days ago but within the past 12 months
- More than 12 months ago
[The following question is asked separately for non- medical use of the following tranquilizers: Klonopin or Clonazepam; Xanax, Alprazolam, Ativan, or Lorazepam; Valium or Diazepam]
Have you ever, even once, used [Klonopin or Clonazepam] that was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
Please look at the tranquilizers shown below the red line on Card B. [List on Card B: Atarax; BuSpar; Equanil; Flexeril; Librium; Limbitrol; Meprobamate; Miltown; Rohypnol; Serax; Soma; Tranxene; Vistaril.]
Have you ever, even once, used any of these tranquilizers when they were not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling they caused?
- Yes
- No
Have you ever, even once, used any other tranquilizers, besides the ones shown on Card B, when it was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
- Within the past 30 days - that is, since [DATE]
- More than 30 days ago but within the past 12 months
- More than 12 months ago
[The following question is asked separately for non- medical use of the following stimulants: Methamphetamine, Desoxyn, or Methedrine; prescription diet pills, such as Amphetamines, Benzedrine, Biphetamine, Fastin, or Phentermine; Ritalin or Methylphenidate]
Have you ever, even once, used [Methamphetamine, Desoxyn, or Methedrine] that was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Have you ever, even once, used any other prescription stimulant, besides the ones shown on Card C when it was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
- Within the past 30 days - that is, since [DATE]
- More than 30 days ago but within the past 12 months
- More than 12 months ago
[The following question is asked separately for non- medical use of the following prescription sedatives: Methaqualone, Sopor, or Quaalude; barbiturates such as Nembutal, Pentobarbital, Seconal, Secobarbital, or Butalbital; Restoril or Temazepam]
Have you ever, even once, used [Methaqualone, Sopor, or Quaalude] that was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Have you ever, even once, used any other prescription sedative, besides the ones shown on Card D, when it was not prescribed for you or that you took only for the experience or feeling it caused?
- Yes
- No
- Within the past 30 days - that is, since [DATE]
- More than 30 days ago but within the past 12 months
- More than 12 months ago
Methodology notes
Illicit drugs include marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, methamphetamine, or prescription psychotherapeutics that were misused, which include pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. Respondents are considered to have used illicit drugs if they report use in the past 30 days of any of the listed substances.
History
In 2024, the baseline was revised from 12.0% in 2018 to 15.2% in 2021. The target setting method remains maintain the baseline and the target was revised from 12.0% to 15.2%.