Youths who used stimulants nonmedically in the past year are significantly more likely than those who did not report nonmedical stimulant use to engage in delinquent behaviors, according to a recent report from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

More than two-thirds (70%) of youths ages 12 to 17 who had used stimulants nonmedically in the past year also said that they used marijuana and more than half (57%) reported nonmedical pain reliever use, compared to 12% and 6%, respectively, of youths who did not report nonmedical stimulant use. Similar results were found for other illicit drugs, including hallucinogens, and tranquilizers.

Youths who reported nonmedical stimulant use were also more likely to engage in other delinquent behaviors, such as physical violence, selling drugs, and stealing.

For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the PDF.

Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland.