DENVER -- From binge drinking, to use of cigarettes and marijuana, Coloradans are more likely to use these substances -- and have less concern about using them -- than many other states.
According to a study released Thursday by the Office of Applied Sciences at the federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the perception of great risk associated with using marijuana once a month dropped in Colorado between the last study from 2005-2006, and the most recent study from 2006-2007, from a perceived risk of 30.7 percent to 28.42 percent.
That puts the pot "fear factor" in Colorado much lower than the national average of 38 percent, which increased.
Translation: Nationwide teens 12 and older are more worried about using pot than Colorado respondents of the same age.
"It demonstrates a growing movement toward more rational recreational activities. There are millions of Americans that enjoy using marijuana, and more and more they are feeling free to use it or discuss it with other people. There‘s obviously a growing sentiment," said Mason Tvert, a marijuana legalization advocate. "It’s unsurprising that more and more people are making the safer choice.”
Only four states had lower perceptions of risk associated with monthly
marijuana use than Colorado: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Washington
and Vermont.
The perceived risk connected to binge drinking (five drinks in one day
or session) in Colorado dropped slightly from 37.93 percent to 37.56
percent for ages 12 and older.
That puts the Centennial state’s binge drinking "fear factor" lower than most states and the national average of 42.13 percent.
Only Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin had lower perceptions of risk.
One of the study’s directors points out that problem that can arise with a drop in perceived risk.
"The perception of the risk of binge drinking, it’s not a huge drop but
it is a drop. That’s usually a marker for us. When the perception of
risk decreases, we tend to see an increase in the use. It’s an inverse
relationship," said Dr. Peter Delany, director of the Office of Applied
Studies at SAMHSA.
Actual marijuana use within a month by respondents age 12 and older
rose most in Rhode Island, from 9.21 percent to 10.31 percent.
But Colorado saw a bump in pot use as well, 7.68 percent to 8.24
percent, compared with a drop in California and the U.S. average at
6.55 percent and 5.92 percent, respectively.
Binge drinking in the past month was up in all categories in Colorado
and higher than both the national average and California’s rate.
Perceived risk of binge drinking also dropped in Alaska, Connecticut, Florida and Georgia, to list a few.
The study on more than 135,672 people breaks down 23 different measures of substance abuse and mental health problems.
Respondents age 12 and up also increased their use of cigarettes in
Colorado. The new rate is 29.77 percent -- higher than any other state.
Delany said state lawmakers should have plenty of updated data to work with.
"It’s a tremendous piece of information. It gives them the opportunity
to use this to think how best to use their resources, for prevention,
treatment and the entire continuum of treatment," Delaney said. |
