WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s drug abusers are going gray.
The proportion of people admitted to treatment for drug abuse who are age 50 or older nearly doubled from 1992 to 2008, a new government study says.
Alcohol is still the leading cause of admissions in this age group, but sharp increases were noted in those needing treatment for heroin, cocaine and marijuana, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports today.
“These findings show the changing scope of substance abuse problems in America,” agency administrator Pamela Hyde said in a statement. “The graying of drug users in America is an issue for any programs and communities providing health or social services for seniors.”
While some people 50 and older were taking up drugs for the first time — notably cocaine users — the study found that three-quarters of older Americans admitted for treatment had started using drugs before age 25.
The agency said that during the same period admissions primarily related to alcohol abuse decreased from 84.6 percent in 1992 to 59.9 percent in 2008.