Moira O'Brien, M.Phil., tells annual meeting attendees that the
overall trend of illicit substance use among youth is improving
as attitudes change toward substances commonly abused. However,
substance abuse is increasing among older Americans. Credit:
David Hathcox There appears to be a decline in the use of some
illicit substances in certain populations but an increase of
such use among people in their early 50s, according to national
survey data presented at APA's annual meeting in By collecting
data from various sources, public health officials can monitor
substance use trends, predict use patterns in the near future,
and take steps to stem rising tides of risky behavior. According
to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health
(NSDUH), presented by Moira O'Brien, M.Phil., health scientist
administrator at the Division of Epidemiology Services and
Prevention Research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA), an estimated 20.4 million people aged 12 and older were
projected to be using ill