National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1997

This series measures the prevalence and correlates of drug
use in the United States. The surveys are designed to provide
quarterly, as well as annual, estimates. Information is provided on
the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco among members of United
States households aged 12 and older. Questions include age at first
use as well as lifetime, annual, and past-month usage for the
following drug classes: marijuana, cocaine (and crack), hallucinogens,
heroin, inhalants, alcohol, tobacco, and nonmedical use of
prescription drugs, including psychotherapeutics. Respondents were
also asked about substance abuse treatment history, illegal
activities, problems resulting from the use of drugs, personal and
family income sources and amounts, need for treatment for drug or
alcohol use, criminal record, and needle-sharing. Questions on mental
health and access to care, which were introduced in the 1994-B
questionnaire (see NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE, 1994
[ICPSR 6949]), were retained in this administration of the survey. In
1996, the section on risk/availability of drugs was reintroduced, and
sections on driving behavior and personal behavior were added (see
NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON DRUG ABUSE, 1996 [ICPSR 2391]). The 1997
questionnaire continued the risk/availability section along with new
items about the use of cigars, people present when respondents used
marijuana or cocaine for the first time (if applicable), reasons for
using these two drugs the first time, reasons for using these two
drugs in the past year, reasons for discontinuing use of these two
drugs (for lifetime but not past-year users), and reasons respondents
never used these two drugs. In addition, a new series of questions
asked only of respondents aged 12 to 17 was introduced. These items
covered a variety of topics that may be associated with substance use
and related behaviors, such as exposure to substance abuse prevention
and education programs, gang involvement, relationship with parents,
and substance use by friends. Demographic data include gender, race,
age, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, job status, income
level, veteran status, and current household composition.