T008 Age of First Misuse - Alcohol

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among young people, and there may be serious implications from this early use.  Moreover, wide-spread binge drinking among college students has been called the most serious public health problem on college campuses. Alcohol has both short term and long term effects.  Marijuana is the most commonly used and abused illicit drug in the U.S., particularly among adolescents and young adults. The level of THC content in marijuana after cultivation can range from less than 1% to more than 30% and has been increasing dramatically, making marijuana increasingly potent and more addictive. Heroin use has become more commonplace in many communities although most people do not start off using heroin, which is highly addictive.  Some individuals reported switching to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to obtain than prescription opioids.