Green | July 01, 2008 | 90 comments

Americans are world's top drug users despite harsh drug laws

source: http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Americans_are_world_s_top_drug_user_07012008.html

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pigmonkey
Americans are the world's top consumers of cannabis and cocaine despite punitive US drug laws, according to an international study published in the online scientific magazine PLoS Medicine.

The study, released Monday, revealed that 16.2 percent of Americans had tried cocaine at least once, and 42.4 percent had used marijuana.

In second-place New Zealand, just 4.3 percent of study participants had used cocaine, and 41.9 percent marijuana.

The research was conducted at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, based on World Health Organization data from 54,068 people in 17 countries.

Rates of participation differed from country to country, and researchers noted uncertainty over how honestly people report their own drug use.

"Nevertheless, the findings present comprehensive data on the patterns of drug use from national samples representing all regions of the world," a PLoS statement said.

A vast majority of survey participants from the United States, Europe, Japan and New Zealand had consumed alcohol, compared to smaller percentages from the Middle East, Africa and China.

The data also revealed socioeconomic patterns in drug use. Single young adult men with high income had the greatest tendency to regularly use drugs.

Drug use "does not appear to be simply related to drug policy," the researchers wrote, "since countries with more stringent policies toward illegal drug use did not have lower levels of such drug use than countries with more liberal policies."

In the Netherlands, where drug policy is more liberal than the United States, 1.9 percent of survey participants said they had used cocaine and 19.8 percent marijuana.

Twelve US 12 states including California permit medical use of marijuana, but possession and use remains prohibited under federal law.

And despite the US government's massive anti-drug efforts, the United States remains the world's top drug market, one amply supplied by South American cartels.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency has observed ever larger quantities of illegal drugs pouring into the country.

"We are seizing greater quantities of illegal drugs than ever before," said a DEA statement last week.

In 2007, agents seized 41 metric tons of cocaine in just two raids, and denied drug traffickers record-breaking revenue of 3.5 billion dollars for the year, it said.


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90 comments // Americans are world's top drug users despite harsh drug laws

  • dedemetal
  • haredx
    • 0
      haredx  

    • This article is a perfect reason for why marijuana should be legalized. Think of all the money we would make taxing marijuana as opposed to the billions we spend trying to stop it. The worst part is marijuana would have been legalized years ago if it weren't for the alcohol and tobacco lobbyists who throw their money around and do everything possible to try and scare the public into believing that marijuana is a harmful drug when the drugs they are trying to protect are the real killers.

    • 3 years ago
  • thisismattholt
    • 0
      thisismattholt  

    • The reality Americans are faced with is tough.

      It is the mirage created by media & advertising that drives most U.S. citizens to think their life is lacking.

      The constant reinforcement that your life is lacking in someway is what creates this false reality.

      Wants and Needs are confused.

    • 3 years ago
  • ix3bumblebeetuna
    • 0
      ix3bumblebeetuna  

    • Hell, I'm not surprised. I know plenty of people who smoke that stuff and who knows how much more of them are there. Telling people, especially teenagers not to do something does not help much. When I took leadership training at a summit, we had to listen to a lecture about HIV/AIDS and learned that distributing condoms is more affective in keeping high schoolers HIV negative than preaching the abstinence-only method.

    • 3 years ago
  • sufferahsmusic
  • zenmertz
  • sunday013
  • 2ndamendment
    • 0
      2ndamendment  

    • I completely agree with what was his name.....ahh yes 1 percent, you want what you cant have. Users in america are quite higher than thouse in the netherlands where marijuana is legal in coffee houses, i believe up to a amount in grams, as to where in america it is illegal. Not that im saying it should be legal.... mabey because of taxes or a predetermined amount..but mabey thats what our economy needs? i for one am a part of a percent not to nessiceraly be proud but at the same time not to be ashamed but hey i can say that i learned a precentage fact which to my luck are one of my favorite facts to tell to others.....if i can remeber it at all

      peace my brothers and sisters
      just the facts

    • 3 years ago
  • KONTRAdict
  • natdagod
  • oneloveholli
  • jeromecon
    • 0
      jeromecon  

    • I agree the drug war dont make any sense!And im for legalizing pot too.

      But you guys are always "preaching" about polluting the enviroment.You dont mind polluting your body?I know pot is good for alot of things but its still polluting your lungs.

    • 3 years ago
  • Rome43
    • 0
      Rome43  

    • Wow check out Three Lost on my profile Drugs are a big part of the plan for a mindless America. Silence weapon of war, government cash crops. Creating profits off drug addiction it's big business. Who wants it to stop? not the government only the people caught in addiction.

    • 3 years ago
  • AirUooBreath
  • Brittanyope89
    • 0
      Brittanyope89  

    • Has someone ever told you not to look at something and you did it anyways just to see what it was? Well that is sort of how drugs in America are. Everyone says "say no",the only choice is to say yes. Whatever makes you happy is how I see it.

    • 3 years ago
  • thisismattholt
  • dafunkyaztec
  • St_Alia_10191
  • cobra6969
    • 0
      cobra6969  

    • i think we should legalize marijuana because it will help boost the economies and it will help the government control it a little bite

    • 3 years ago
  • fauxsherrrr
  • sontag
    • 0
      sontag  

    • Maybe now since we're experiencing such an increased influx of bad stuff (drugs, illegal aliens & weapons) coming in from Mexico, we'll actually let up off the border patrol some & let them do their job...B.P. Agents would prolly appreciate it if we didn't crucify them for protecting our borders too.

      Next coming across the US/Mexico borders: Terrorists whose sole purposes are to kill and destroy.

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • sontag:

      No we can't do that. Terrorist are people too.

      Did you hear about the raid in Houston's Ship Channel? They got a bunch of illegals because of where they worked. They are going to be deported and the company is going to get it. It was a sting that lasted about a year, I think.

      The argument, as always, is they are tearing the families apart.

      People of that mindset fail to mention that they broke the law in coming here and knew that and therefore were setting up the heartache they were to feel should they be kicked out. No it's not fair to the kids and that's the parents' fault not the fault of the government who is upholding a well known law, no matter the language you speak.

      It would be nice of the border patrol got to do their job as it is suppose to be done. I wonder if that'll ever happen? ha.

    • 3 years ago
  • sontag
    • 0
      sontag  
    • sontag:

      I didn't hear about that...Isn't that odd? All i'm hearing about is Obama & gay marriage. Not the important stuff like people trying to destroy America.

      We can only hope that one day, our country will unite and see the light.

    • 3 years ago
  • LarzNero
  • sujaco
  • runsarahrun82
  • runsarahrun82
  • yor187
    • 0
      yor187  
    • Image

    • The war on pot will never be over. There is too much money being made by establishment. Think of all the lawyers, judges, courts house employes, probate, jails & prisons. These people make thier living off the misery they are able to enfflect on others.
      Now they have laws that will take what few possions you have. If you, or persons that live with you have pot on them.

    • 3 years ago
  • VynalFrontier
  • J_Jammer
  • jeromecon
    • 0
      jeromecon  
    • J_Jammer:

      jam, explain something to me.
      the same people who preach day in and out about polluting the enviroment, dont mind polluting their bodies

      is that the definition of ironic or idiocracy

    • 3 years ago
  • bansheewail
  • Midnight_DevilX
  • Captain_Beefheart
    • 0
      Captain_Beefheart  

    • Chomsky: its not a war on drugs its a war on certain drugs.
      Rock: And they re not going to legalize a drug that makes brown people rich, don't buy theyre drugs, buy our drugs

    • 3 years ago
  • Frier_peppino
  • Tori
    • 0
      Tori  

    • I'm actually sort of surprised by the numbers. 42% said they tried marijuana? I never have, and I am only one of 4 people I know who can say that - people are always sort of surprised and shocked when they learn I've never smoked pot (or anything, including cigarettes). But by these statistics, I should be in the majority - 58% should be like me. Perhaps people were ashamed and lied?

    • 3 years ago
  • johnlee666
  • Purdey
    • 0
      Purdey  
    • Image

    • That friggin throws down a gauntlett.

      Us Northern Europeans having been caning it up bad style and our cousins over the pond have pipped us to the post in the face of harse sentances

    • 3 years ago
  • Audiogeek
    • 0
      Audiogeek  

    • It's such a mainstream illegal things to do.

      Drugs are pushed in our face to look so bad and rebellious that we think to ourself, "hmm...I wonder what all the hooha is about?"

    • 3 years ago
  • Saladin
    • 0
      Saladin  

    • Wow, really interesting info. I didn't know this stuff at all. I was most shocked by the Netherlands, I had no idea we smoke weed more than they do. Shocking.

      Great post.

    • 3 years ago
  • Frier_peppino
  • arcticspirit
  • M_Pavlov
    • 0
      M_Pavlov  

    • That's their choice though arcrticspirit, that is what is important to them and it's important that they are allowed to make their own choice regardless if they are "ruining" their lives or not.

    • 3 years ago
  • arcticspirit
  • thisismattholt
  • arcticspirit
    • 0
      arcticspirit  

    • I was raised in a country where the drug laws were harsh. There was no social pressure. I never did it.

      I have observed something interesting among people who smoke, they talk about it like crazy and their lives are on hold.. when they make more money, they just buy better drugs.

      Losers!

    • 3 years ago
  • rpyromaniac
  • realfran
    • 0
      realfran  
    • arcticspirit:

      i agree with the life on hold part.
      i' from south america and lived for a while in california, things are crazy over there, all people talk about is drugs, i could have whatever i want, pot, coke, mashrums, stickers... good thing i din't want any.

    • 3 years ago
  • prozach0
  • bluestranger
    • 0
      bluestranger  

    • We are so doomed to repeat it. How did that prohabition thing work out for us? Jay Leno said it best "THe war on drugs is the people who abuse prescription drugs against the people who do street drugs."

    • 3 years ago
  • ReddFeary83
    • 0
      ReddFeary83  
    • bluestranger:

      Prohibition is the exact reason that organized crime came to be an empire in the first place. Over the years this has proven to be more true than ever. Try telling someone they can't do something, and they'll fight you on it: simply for the fact the person wants to make an INDIVIDUAL DECISION.

    • 3 years ago
  • ILiveonaClock
  • LuckyTripps
    • 0
      LuckyTripps  

    • Maybe we can look at something more than this topic itself, like maybe the fact reality is not tolerable in America anymore. And if you think our reality is a walk in the park, your in the wrong neighborhood. Although I am somehow ignorantly proud of us.. Olympics? pfft!

    • 3 years ago
  • Owwmykneecap
  • autis
  • Robroy1
    • 0
      Robroy1  

    • Pot is not a drug, a mood enhancer yes, a drug no. But legalize it along with all other drugs as well as prostitution. if a person wants to get high and have some sex who are they harming. Wake up politicians, there is money to be saved on the Narcs and the DEA budget would come in handy towards education instead of ruining innocent peoples lives with petty bust for smoking some of nature's best.

    • 3 years ago
  • ix3bumblebeetuna
    • 0
      ix3bumblebeetuna  
    • Robroy1:

      I agree with you that we should spend our money more on education than ruining people's lives. But I'm not sure if I could say that pot is not a drug. After all, once people see that something that could be used as a painkiller being abused and addictive, then many of them would consider it a drug. I'm not saying ur wrong, though. But I just don't really get how it's not a drug.

    • 3 years ago
  • currentkid
  • jahbini
    • 0
      jahbini  

    • TravG73 has got the germ of the situation: We have the most usage because we have a society that has the most stress and insanity.

      That 'glass ceiling' that women have been hitting is even more real for our lowest economic classes. Once you have been hit with some monetary sucker punches, hope fades into endless stress and boredom.

      And even those upwardly focussed folks who are trapped in a never-ending rat race are finding that no amount of work gets you one step ahead?

      So why shouldn't these folks want even a few hours of respite in drugs?

      So, Mr. Big Government and your pal Faceless Corporation Esq. , what can you offer instead? And don't tell me it's longer prison sentences, I've heard that one too many times to believe it.

      Stop the craziness!!!

    • 3 years ago
  • TravG73
  • malathion
    • 0
      malathion  

    • there has never been such a thing as a "pot baby" , like there is with "crack babies" , and given this "study" , which necessarily implies that there are a lot of herb smoking mothers having babies , i'd have to say that pot is more than likely good for children , from day one .

    • 3 years ago
  • dcrc9596
  • currentlyJessica
    • 0
      currentlyJessica  

    • Speaking of weed, have you seen the movie "Super High Me" with Doug Benson?

      Instead of eating McDonalds for 30 days, Doug Benson Stays sober for 30 days, then smokes pot for 30 days (all day) and films it. He scores higher on the SAT's while high among many other hilarious events. He also uses a sweet vaporizor that had to cost at least $500!

      check it out

      I rate this move **** Four Spliffs

    • 3 years ago
  • mashton237
    • 0
      mashton237  
    • currentlyJessica:

      the vaporizer was called a Volcano and good guess on the price. the price is usually between $500-$600.

      a buddy of mine has one and it is one of the best things i have ever smoked out of.

      also, that movie is hilarious. im trying to get all my friends to watch it lol. Everyone should see it.

    • 3 years ago
  • COOLVDUB
    • 0
      COOLVDUB  

    • most of us use drugs 4 some alment
      i use herion becouse my pain pills cost
      $2857.38 a month my (herion $220week)
      you do the math

    • 3 years ago
  • zlarmer
  • dcrc9596
    • 0
      dcrc9596  
    • COOLVDUB:

      What are you on pain pills for? There are alternatives to heroin and ways to get meds without having to pay so much. Just asking maybe I have info that could help, not trying to judge you, just wanted to try to help.

    • 3 years ago
  • humanpasta
  • shroomfairy
  • M_Pavlov
  • thisismattholt
    • 0
      thisismattholt  
    • humanpasta:

      the war on drugs. not war on marijuana.

      If you're going to smoke a doobie. and your hook up is no longer there, you WON'T smoke your doobie.

      Yes, there are areas that have achieved reduced drug trafficking and usage.

    • 3 years ago
  • regularrf
    • 0
      regularrf  

    • I have smoked pot for 35 years, this war on drugs is a
      front. The pot smoked in u.s. is grown here,where is all
      this money going?This is another war we can not win but
      the money needs to be in the budget,billions of worthless dollars. Having tried some drugs none made me addicted but pot does help sick people. So lets save all that money and feed the children, house the homeless,empty the jails and let people live the way they
      want.

    • 3 years ago
  • macdontcare
    • 0
      macdontcare  

    • Look at the deaths from our friends in the drug industries. They took what they wanted from recreational drugs and ran with it. Lobby, lobby, lobby get your pills here!
      To legalize recreational drugs would help put a stop to things like; drug lords in Afganistan( money for the Tali ), murdered cops in Mexico( smuggle away ), drug addiction ( won't stop it but will fund treatment ).
      Alcohol is a drug, trust me!

    • 3 years ago
  • pissedoffinarkansas
    • 0
      pissedoffinarkansas  

    • It really pisses me off when researchers and politicians refer to weed as a drug. In my own persona opinion a drug is a substance that has been CHEMICALLY processed.Weed is havested,dried,and smoked.No enhancment.Unlike TOBBACCO!!

      P.S.Alcohol is chemically treated too.

    • 3 years ago
  • LogicalOctopus
  • Albinopollock
  • Leonidis
  • M_Pavlov
  • Betico
  • 96thdayofrage
  • fuckbush
  • torybart
  • VSiskos
  • justwannafindmytrue
  • 1percent
  • thisismattholt
  • LogicalOctopus
  • torybart
  • databaze
  • databaze
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