DRUG MESSAGE IS LOST ON SOME MESSENGERS

Illicit Use Is Up For Ages 50-59, While Those 12-17 Show
Decline

WASHINGTON - Some moms and dads might want to take a lesson from their
kids: Just say no.

The government reported Thursday that 4.4 percent of baby boomers ages
50 to 59 indicated they had used illicit drugs in the past month. It
marks the third consecutive yearly increase recorded for that age
group by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Meanwhile, illicit drug use among youths ages 12-17 went down for the
third consecutive year -- from 11.6 percent in 2002 to 9.9 percent in
2005.

"Rarely have we seen a story like this where this is such an obvious
contrast as one generation goes off stage right, and entering stage
left is a generation that learned a lesson somehow and they're doing
something very different," said David Murray, special assistant to the
director for the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The annual survey on drug use and health involves interviews of about
67,500 people. It provides an important snapshot of how many Americans
drink, smoke and use drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and
methamphetamine.

Overall, drug use remained relatively unchanged among Americans age 12
and older in 2005. About 19.7 million Americans reported they had used
an illicit drug in the past month, which represented a rise from 7.9
percent to 8.1 percent. The increase was not only due to the boomers,
but an increase was also seen among those 18-25, the age category that
always ranks highest when it comes to illicit drug use.

Among the 18-25 group, drug use rose from 19.4 percent to 20.1
percent.