Patterns of drug use among adolescents: the past decade

In recent years investigators have examined patterns of drug use among various populations. None, however, have examined the changes in drug patterns over time. The present study analyzed changes in patterns of drug use among a population of drug-using adolescent students in Ontario (Canada). Three cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1968, 1977 and 1985, which sampled students in grades 7, 9, 11 and 13 (ranging in age from 12 to 20 years), were employed. Using eight substance types as measures (cannabis, barbiturates, stimulants, tranquillizers, inhalants, LSD, heroin and others), four general patterns were constructed: single-drug psychotherapeutic users; multiple psychotherapeutic users; exclusive cannabis users; and multiple-illicit. The findings indicated the following: a significant decrease in the representation of both exclusive and multiple psychotherapeutic users between 1968 and 1977; a significant increase in exclusive cannabis users between 1968 and 1977, and following this a decline into 1985; and a significant increase in multiple illicit users between 1968 and 1977. In all a major shift from a psychotherapeutic-illicit dichotomy to an overwhelming illicit pattern has occurred during the past decade.