Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. This has been consistent across gender, race/ethnic groups, and from different national and local surveys, though the specific measures and estimates available vary.
National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Key data: Past year and past month use by age
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2022 in US, there estimated 42.3 million (or 15%) individuals aged 12 or older had used marijuana in the past month and 61.9 million (or 22%) individuals aged 12 or older had used marijuana in the past year.
Past year and past month marijuana use have been increasing in California state, and Los Angeles County (LAC) from 2006 to 2018 (Figures 1-2).
Prevalence
Temp
LAC Coroner's Data
Accidental Overdose Deaths by Drug Type
According to LAC Coroner’s data, opioid deaths were relatively stable from 2010-2015, then began increasing in 2016. By 2021, there were 1,719 opioid deaths, a 10.9% increase from the previous year in 2020, and a 104% increase from the year before in 2019 (Figure 4).
The number of fentanyl overdose deaths in LAC has been increasing every year since routine testing of fentanyl began in May 2016. In 2021, fentanyl overdose deaths increased to 1,504, nearly reaching meth overdose deaths (n=1,526) after jumping 1,280% from 2016, and jumping 31% from 2020.
Heroin deaths decreased by 43% from 390 in 2020 to 222 in 2021.
From 2010 to 2021, opioids were involved in over half of all alcohol and drug (AOD) accidental overdose deaths (ranging annually from 46% to 63%).
In 2010, 54% and 28% of AOD deaths involved Rx opioids and heroin, respectively. Over time, the involvement of heroin and Rx opioid in overdose deaths decreased, and were identified in less than 10% of AOD deaths in 2021.
In contrast, fentanyl-related overdose deaths greatly increased, from accounting for only 2.7% (rate=0.2 per 100,00 population) in 2010, to over half (54.9%; rate=15.1) of all AOD deaths in 2021 (Figure 5).
Opioid Deaths by LAC Regions
According to LAC Coroner’s data, opioid overdose deaths were highest in the Metro region (SPA 4), and lowest in the Antelope Valley (SPA 1) region. Fentanyl overdose deaths were also highest in the Metro and Antelope Valley regions, while heroin and Rx opioid overdose deaths were highest in the San Fernando region (SPA 2), and lowest in Antelope Valley region (Figure 6).
Instructions: Hover over map to display drug name, and click on map to enlarge image.
Figure 6. Opioid, fentanyl, prescription opioid, and heroin overdose deaths, by SPA, LAC, 2017-2021
Source: LAC Coroner
Notes:
1 Dot = 1 death
Blue dots = Prescription Opioid Overdoses
Green dots = Fentanyl Overdoses
Red dots = Heroin Overdoses
References
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Figures 1-2.
