Emerging Issues

Research continues to provide valuable new information for improving drug abuse prevention and treatment services, especially among children, adolescents, and young adults. Ongoing monitoring and surveillance of drug use trends, such as those conducted by the NIDA Community Epidemiological Work Group²³ and the SAMHSA State Epidemiology and Outcomes Workgroup,²⁴ can inform resources allocation for prevention and treatment.

In 2001, approximately 1,700 college students aged 18 to 24 years died from alcohol-related unintentional injuries. Further, the high proportion of binge drinkers in the college population did not decline between 1999 and 2002.²⁵ The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) published a report,²⁶ prepared by a task force of college presidents and research scientists that examined the magnitude of college drinking problems and identified scientifically validated programs and policies found to reduce associated problems. A copy of the report was sent to every college president in the United States. Recently, NIAAA has supported scientific research at 15 colleges and universities and the California University system to test additional proposed interventions to reduce college drinking.

A perspective that addresses brain development in adolescence is essential for understanding underage drinking and for the development of successful interventions. Drug and alcohol use in early adolescence affects the development of the adolescent brain.²⁷ Early use of alcohol is a risk factor for later alcohol-related problems, including alcohol dependence. The problems peak among persons between the ages of 18 and 24 years.⁹ An NIAAA task force is addressing this critical public health problem in the context of adolescent brain development. As a first step, NIAAA has published a special issue of Alcohol Research & Health.²⁸ Future efforts will focus on fully integrating a developmental approach to understanding and addressing drinking by youth.

Another issue is methamphetamine, a highly addictive and dangerous drug.²⁹ Research shows that methamphetamine abuse is spreading, especially in rural areas. Methamphetamine production and supply patterns have been changing. Production in small, clandestine labs in the United States has been decreasing. An increasing proportion of methamphetamine used in the United States is being produced in large labs in Mexico and distributed by Mexican drug trading organizations.³⁰ Additional health risks are associated with the cleanup of methamphetamine laboratories.³¹

In addition to illicit and controlled substance use, a recent national study identified an emerging trend in the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.³² Hydrocodone, oxycodone, methylphenidate, and amphetamines are among the most abused drugs.³² Research on the treatment protocols of methamphetamine continues to improve. These efforts are part of a larger strategic prevention framework being implemented nationwide through collaboration with State, local, and community-based organizations. Healthy People 2010 substance abuse objectives will continue to guide States in implementing policy and programs that address substance prevention and treatment.

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