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ILLICIT DRUG USE
Because of their potential risk
for misuse and addiction, marijuana/hashish, cocaine, inhalants,
hallucinogens, heroin,
and prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs used for
non-medical purposes are classified as illicit drugs in
the U.S. In 2001,
27.3 percent of women aged 18-25 and 20.5 percent of females
aged 12-17 had used some type of illicit drug within the
past year. Marijuana/hashish was reported as the leading
illicit drug used by women of all ages. Over one-fifth
of women aged 18-25, 14.1 percent of females aged 12-17,
and
4.1 percent of women 26 and older reported using marijuana/hashish
in the past year. The 18-25 age group was also more likely
to use cocaine and hallucinogens.
Inhalant use was most frequently
reported by females aged 12-17. With the exception of inhalant
drugs, the proportion
of women who used illicit drugs increased from the teen
years to the mid-twenties and then decreased among women
aged 26
and older.
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