Drug abusing Boomers need double the help by 2020

William Atkins
Saturday, 09 January 2010 18:58

Science - Health

According to a report by SAMHSA, people over the age of 50 years (Baby Boomers) are abusing drugs at dramatic rates. The U.S. agency predicts that such use of illicit drugs will cause them to need substance abuse treatment at double current rates within the next ten years.


The press office of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a news release on January 8, 2010.

It is entitled “Increasing Substance Abuse Levels among Older Adults Likely to Create Sharp Rise in Need for Treatment Services in Next Decade.”

According to the report, which is based on data collected from 2006 to 2008, “… substance abuse treatment among Americans over age 50 projected to double by 2020.”

The report surveyed 19,921 adults aged 50 years or older within the SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

In addition, the SAMHSA report states that “… the aging of the baby boom generation is resulting in a dramatic increase in levels of illicit drug use among adults 50 and older. These increases may require the doubling of substance abuse treatment services needed for this population by 2020.”

Pamela S. Hyde, the administrator for SAMHSA, stated, “This new data has profound implications for the health and well-being of older adults who continue to abuse substances."

Hyde added, "These findings highlight the need for prevention programs for all ages as well as to establish improved screening and appropriate referral to treatment as part of routine health care services.”

Page two contains specific conclusions made by the SAMHSA report on Baby Boomers in the United States.