Conducted by the Federal Government since 1971, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is an annual survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States age 12 years old or older. It is the primary source of information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug abuse. The survey collects data by administering questionnaires to a representative sample of the population (since 1999 the NSDUH interview has been carried out using computer-assisted interviewing). NSDUH collects information from residents of households, noninstitutional group quarters, and civilians living on military bases. The main results of the NSDUH present national estimates of rates of use, numbers of users, and other measures related to illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products.
Prior to 2002, the survey was called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA). Because of improvements to the survey in 2002, the data from 2002, 2003 and 2004 should not be compared with 2001 and earlier NHSDA data to assess changes in substance use over time. The 2004 NSDUH screened 130,130 addresses and 67,760 completed interviews were obtained. The survey was conducted from January through December 2004. Weighted response rates for household screening were 90.9 percent and 77.0 percent for interviewing.
Further information on the 2004 NSDUH may be obtained from:
SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies
1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044
Rockville, MD 28057
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh.htm
Other Governmental Agencies