Figure 1: Drug Use Varies by Age but the Cohort Effect Lasts a Lifetime

Bar graph with 12 items.

Percentage Reporting Past Month Use of an Illicit Drug

Item 1, Age 12–13, 3.0%
Item 2, Age 14–15, 9.8%
Item 3, Age 16–17, 16.4%
Item 4, Age 18–20, 19.6%
Item 5, Age 21–25, 13.2%
Item 6, Age 26–29, 7.8%
Item 7, Age 30–34, 7.0%
Item 8, Age 35–39, 5.3%
Item 9, Age 40–44, 6.5%, Example of an aging cohort of drug users—this group began use in the 1970's
Item 10, Age 45–49, 4.8%
Item 11, Age 50–64, 2.4%
Item 12, Age 65 +, 0.3%