When pinpointing drug use and addictions to age groups, most ideas and thoughts were congruent with each other. It is interesting to think how we have come to these stereotypes. Is it what we experience in our own lives? Is it the common practice among our peers? Is it what the news and media have instilled in us? Most importantly, do our thoughts match statistics of common drugs used among different age groups?
It was difficult to pinpoint good data that actually had this information. Different studies just focused on one age group as opposed to comparing different groups, or did not differentiate between specific drugs associated with specific age groups. Drug use is highest among those in their late teens and early twenties. Drug use is also increasing among those in their fifties, but are not nearly as evident compared to late teens early twenties.
Dr. Gregory Davis answered a question on stereotypes with stating that he sees every kind of person at any age suffer from drug abuse and overdose. There was no predominant age, race, sex, etc when it came to specific drugs. Therefore, I do believe it is our own experience and what we see on the news that creates our stereotypes of ages and drug abuse.
Emily QL
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends
Dr. Gregory Davis
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