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Multicenter Study
. 2020 Jul 1;174(7):725-727.
doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.6235.

Patterns of Mean Age at Drug Use Initiation Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults, 2004-2017

Karl C Alcover  1 , Christopher L Thompson  2
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Patterns of Mean Age at Drug Use Initiation Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults, 2004-2017

Karl C Alcover et al. JAMA Pediatr. .

Erratum in

Abstract

This study examines the mean age at drug use initiation of US individuals aged 12 to 21 years old, per self-reported data from a nationally representative sample.

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Figures

Figure.
Figure.. Year-by-Year Mean Age at Drug Initiation Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults Who Started Using Drugs Within 12 Months Prior to Assessment
Data are from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004-2017 (N = 84 317 adolescents and young adults). Individuals who initiated drug use are individuals aged 12 to 21 years with first-time drug use within 12 months prior to the survey. PCP indicates phenylcyclohexyl piperidine. aBecause of survey methodological changes, mean ages from 2015 to 2017 are not included. bP < .001. cDifferences are significant (ecstasy, β = 0.003; P = .03; hallucinogens, β = 0.004; P = .004; heroin, β = 0.005; P = .02; inhalants; β = 0.004; P = .02; smokeless tobacco, β = 0.001; P = .002; stimulants, β = 0.005; P = .007; lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], β = −0.014; P = .04).
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