Most teenagers do not engage in drug use, a trend substantiated by a long-standing government study that faces potential disruption. This insight is drawn from a comprehensive 50-year survey led by a dedicated team within the U.S. government, which is presently under threat as the 17-member group was issued layoff notices amidst structural changes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The fate of the survey’s analysis remains uncertain, which holds significance for local and state agencies striving to craft effective prevention and treatment strategies. The federal allocation of resources for combating the opioid epidemic heavily depends on this survey, alongside its utility for researching conditions like depression, alcoholism, and tobacco addiction.
According to Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for HHS, the survey continues under congressional mandate and serves as a crucial element in advancing the country’s approach to behavioral health. With the ongoing departmental reorganization, Nixon assures that the intention is to enhance efficacy in meeting legislative objectives. Conducted annually by an independent entity, the survey engages around 70,000 individuals across the nation, providing a comprehensive view that surpasses the scope of overdose statistics, which only capture a fraction of substance abuse issues. Lindsey Vuolo from the Partnership to End Addiction emphasizes the indispensable role of this survey in her organization’s research and educational activities.
Prior to the layoffs, preparations were underway by the incumbent team to analyze upcoming 2024 data. This period marks the first time data trends are expected to stabilize following collection interruptions caused by the pandemic, noted Jennifer Hoenig, the recently displaced head of the Office of Population Surveys. Hoenig voices concerns about the potential stagnation of data analysis due to the absence of skilled personnel, stressing the indispensable role of such insights in the nation’s public health efforts. The dismantled team resided under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, now slated for integration into a newly proposed Administration for a Healthy America under the reform plan from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Hoenig expresses deep commitment to the survey’s mission, urging the public to recognize the critical void that may ensue from the data discontinuation. Recent findings underscore the survey’s relevance: a majority of adolescents abstained from illicit drugs or alcohol in 2023; men over 60 tended towards higher substance use disorder rates compared to women, while women showed higher incidence of major depressive episodes in 2021 and 2022; LGBTQ+ youth experienced double the likelihood of substance use disorder as their heterosexual peers in 2023; and the prevalence of cannabis use nearly doubled from 11% in 2002 to 21.9% in 2022.
Andrew Kessler of Slingshot Solutions, a consultancy focused on addiction and mental health, underscores the essential role of this data in tackling public health challenges. Accurate data guides advocacy and policy formulation to bridge significant treatment gaps, ultimately saving lives.