National pot use statistics similar to campus surveys
By Brian Emshwiller
Staff Writer

According to a 1994 Alcohol and Drug Related Information survey, marijuana is the most commonly-used illicit drug among 18 to 21-year-olds. Does this surprise you?

NCADI estimates 10 million Americans have used marijuana or hashish in the last month. These 10 million users represent 4.8 percent of the nation's population, ages 12 and older. NCADI reported 13 million Americans are drug users. Of this 13 million, 81 percent use marijuana.

NCADI also reported that the annual use of marijuana increased from 8.8 million to 9.6 million respondents in 1994.

A late 1970's survey indicated at least 43 million Americans had tried marijuana. In the late 1980's, surveys of high school and college students showed marijuana use was steadily declining. 1990's surveys show a trend reversal.

"At least 60 percent of the people I know on Albion's campus use or have used marijuana," said one unnamed marijuana user.

"I don't know if the increase in marijuana use has anything to do with the availability or not, but I personally know many who use the drug more than three times a week," he said.

These views conflict with the drug and alcohol survey results received from Albion students last semester. Drew Dunham, associate director of campus programs and organizations, initiated a campus survey to see the trends here.

His survey shows 3 percent of Albion students use marijuana at least three times a week. This statistic matches the national statistic exactly.

The survey also said one-third of Albion students have used illegal drugs, compared to 43 percent nationally. About a quarter of Albion students use marijuana annually... matching the national statistics.

Dunham said the survey's validity is very high because respondents were kept anonymous. Dunham went on to explain the perception of usage versus actual.

"The perception of drug use is much higher than actual usage and we [Albion] are at or below the national average of drug use.

"Students think that other students use more than they really do, and this makes the norm seem higher than it actually is," Dunham said.

Two-thirds of Albion students believe their peers use marijuana between once a month and once a week. Twelve percent of Albion students believe the average student uses marijuana three times a week. Only 6 percent of students believe the average student never uses marijuana.

According to department of campus safety statistics, drug abuse here has risen dramatically. Albion had five reported instances of drug abuses in 1992, four in 1993 and 11 cases in 1994.

"I see us [Albion] probably following the national trends for a while, and that would be because we reflect the society which we live in," Dunham said.