Audio By Carbonatix
Keep Westword Free
We’re $3,500 away from our spring campaign goal!
We’re aiming to raise $20,000 by April 26. Your support ensures Westword can continue watching out for you and our community. No paywall. Always accessible. Daily online and weekly in print.
More than 12 percent of Coloradans use illegal drugs every month. That’s among the Colorado-specific findings of a report from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. The stats are drawn from 2011 and 2012, which may make them a little behind the curve: As the Washington Post points out, the figures show that Rhode Island is the top state for marijuana use, with Colorado placing sixth. But the data still provides a fascinating glimpse into our use of and attitudes about marijuana, cocaine and more. Check out the photo-illustrated results below.
See also: Marijuana: Does Anti-Pot-Legalization Ad Accidentally Promote Pot Legalization?
Past Month Illicit Drug Use
12+ (Coloradans age twelve and above): 12.24 percent
12-17 (Coloradans age twelve through seventeen): 13.17 percent
18-25 (Coloradans age eighteen through 25): 29.75 percent
26+ (Coloradans age 26 or older): 9.18 percent
18+ (Coloradans age eighteen or older): 12.15 percent
Past Year Marijuana Use
12+: 16.22 percent
12-17:17.64 percent
18-25: 39.39 percent
26+:12.14 percent
18+:16.08 percent
Continue for more statistics about Coloradans’ use of and attitudes toward marijuana, cocaine and more.
Past Month Marijuana Use
12+: 10.41 percent
12-17: 10.47 percent
18-25: 26.81 percent
26+: 7.63 percent
18+:10.40 percent
Past Month Use of Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana
12+: 3.64 percent
12-17: 4.14 percent
18-25: 8.06 percent
26+: 2.84 percent
18+: 3.59 percent
Continue for more statistics about Coloradans’ use of and attitudes toward marijuana, cocaine and more.
Past Year Cocaine Use
12+: 2.41 percent
12-17: 1.09 percent
18-25: 8.83 percent
26+: 1.49 percent
18+: 2.55 percent
Past Year Nonmedical Pain Reliever Use
12+: 5.05 percent
12-17: 7.15 percent
18-25: 12.18 percent
26+: 3.59 percent
18+: 4.83 percent
Continue for more statistics about Coloradans’ use of and attitudes toward marijuana, cocaine and more.
Perception of Great Risk of Smoking Marijuana Once a Month
12+: 24.11 percent
12-17: 21.57 percent
18-25: 11.71 percent
26+: 26.53 percent
18+: 24.37 percent
Average Annual Rate of First Use of Marijuana
12+: 2.34 percent
12-17: 7.49 percent
18-25: 9.43 percent
26+: 0.25 percent
18+: 1.41 percent
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
