The data also show that considerable differences exist in the patterns of consumption, by age, among the three classes of ethical drugs. (See Table II-7)

Table 11-7.-EXPERIENCE WITH ETHICAL PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS, BY AGE

Note: Example of how to read table: 38 percent of adults have ever used any ethical psychoactive drug.

As Table II-7 illustrates, sedative experience is pretty well independent of age; tranquilizers are used most extensively by the middleaged; and stimulants have been used most heavily by younger adults.

With respect to recent usage of these drugs, age and education again play significant roles in differentiating usage patterns. Region is also important, as is indicated by the fact that half of all adults in the West have used at least one of these drugs in the past year. (See Table II-8)

From Table II-8, we can also obtain a picture of the non-user. In general terms, he is more likely to have less than a high school education, be older than 50, and live in the Northeast or North Central regions of the United States.

The National Survey data show that those persons who have used ethical psychoactive drugs within the last year vary considerably by the type of drug (See Table II-9). Some patterns, however, hold for all three types. Women are more likely than men to use any of these drugs, and such use is also highest among those with college training, living in larger communities and residing in the West.

Usage patterns by age differ according to the type of drug. Younger adults are more likely to use stimulants and somewhat more likely to use sedatives, but it is the 35-49-year-olds who are most likely to use tranquilizers (See Table II-9).

Table 11-9.-ADULT USAGE OF THREE TYPES OF ETHICAL PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS IN PAST 12 MONTHS

Note: Each figure represents percent of group using a particular ethical drug type. For example, 17 percent of all adults use tranquilizers.

As Table II-10 illustrates, the usage of proprietary drugs, in contrast to the ethical psychoactive drugs, is correlated strongly with only two of the demographic variables (age and region). Education, sex, community size and race were found to have only a minor impact on degree of usage.

In an effort to determine more precisely the reasons for use of these substances, recent users were presented with a list of five statements describing various possible non-medical uses. These were:

"Have you ever taken these pills..."

a. "To help get along with your family or other people."

b. "To help you get ready for some big event or to help you accomplish something."

c. "Just to see what it was like and how it would work."

d. "Before going out so that you could enjoy yourself more with other people."

e. "Just to enjoy the feeling they give you."

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Table II-11 presents the proportion of adult recent users of ethical psychoactive drugs who responded affirmatively to each of the five non-medical use statements. The data show that the preponderant use of sedatives is for experimentation and enjoyment, that tranquilizers are used more often as coping mechanisms and that the primary uses of stimulants are for the more specific purpose of accomplishing something or just to see how they work.

TABLE II-11.-USE OF ETHICAL PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS FOR NONMEDICAL PURPOSES AMONG ADULT RECENT USERS OF EACH TYPE 1

1 Percent who answered yes to any one or more of the five nonmedical usage questions. Note: Example of how to read table: 11% of the adults who had used ethical sedatives within the past year reported that they had used these substances to facilitate one's enjoyment with other people.

Table II-12 presents a profile of all respondents who indicated non-medical use of ethical psychoactive drugs within the past year. As the data indicate, non-medical use rises through the teens, peaks in the young adult years, then drops continuously with increasing age. Although education was found to be associated with non-medical usage, race and sex failed to emerge as significant variables. Usage was found, generally, to be higher among those living in the West and in metropolitan areas than among those living elsewhere.