N ational S urvey on D rug Use and H ealth

The NSDUH Report January 5, 2007

Substance Use in the 15 Largest

Metropolitan Statistical Areas:
2002-2005
R
 esearch has shown that rates of  
In Brief  substance use vary across States and  
 across areas within States.1,2 The
l Among the 15 largest metropolitan National Survey on Drug Use and Health
statistical areas (MSAs), the San (NSDUH) asks persons aged 12 or older to
Francisco (12.7 percent) and report on illicit drug use, binge alcohol use,
Detroit (9.5 percent) MSAs had and cigarette use in the month prior to the
rates of past month illicit drug use interview. Illicit drugs refer to marijuana/
that were significantly higher than hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants,
the rate for the Nation as a whole hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-type
drugs used nonmedically.3 Binge alcohol use
(8.1 percent) during the combined
is defined as drinking five or more drinks on
years of 2002 to 2005 the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or
l Among the 15 largest MSAs, within a couple of hours of each other) on at
least 1 day in the past 30 days.4
the Chicago (25.7 percent) and
This issue of The NSDUH Report pres-
Houston (25.6 percent) MSAs had ents estimates of illicit drug use, binge al-
higher rates of binge drinking than cohol use, and cigarette use among the 15
the national average (22.7 percent) largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)
and compares estimates for each MSA with
l Among the 15 largest MSAs, only the Nation as a whole.5 Only differences in
the Detroit (27.4 percent) MSA had estimates that are statistically significant are
a rate of past month cigarette use discussed in the text.6 All estimates of sub-
that was higher than the national stance use in this report are annual averages
average (25.3 percent) based on combined data from the 2002 to
2005 NSDUHs.

The NSDUH Report (formerly The NHSDA Report) is published periodically by the Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA). All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission
from SAMHSA. Additional copies of this report or other reports from the Office of Applied Studies are available online: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov.
Citation of the source is appreciated. For questions about this report, please e-mail: shortreports@samhsa.hhs.gov.
NSDUH REPORT: SUBSTANCE USE IN THE 15 LARGEST METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS: 2002-2005 January 5, 2007

Figure 1. Percentages of Persons Aged 12 or Older

Table 1. U.S. 2005 Population (in Millions) of 15 Largest
Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug,** by
Metropolitan Statistical Areas
Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 2002-2005

Annual Census
Estimates of the
Population Total United States 8.1
Metropolitan Statistical Area (July 1, 2005; in Millions)*
New York 7.6
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long 18.7 Los Angeles 8.2
Island, NY-NJ-PA
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA 12.9 Chicago 8.2
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI 9.4 Philadelphia 9.1
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ- 5.8 Dallas*** 6.5
DE-MD
Miami 8.2
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 5.8
5.4 Houston*** 6.2
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, FL
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX 5.3 Washington, DC*** 6.5
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, 5.2 Atlanta 8.3
DC-VA-MD-WV
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA 4.9 Detroit*** 9.5
Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI 4.5 Boston 8.5
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH 4.4 San Francisco*** 12.7
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 4.2 Riverside/ 6.5
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 3.9 San Bernardino
Phoenix 7.6
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 3.9
3.2 Seattle 9.6
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 15%
Total United States 296.4

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 Source: SAMHSA, 2002-2005 NSDUHs.

as a whole. The rates of past month illicit drug use

The 15 Largest MSAs
The 2005 U.S. Census population estimates were used
to identify the 15 largest MSAs (Table 1).7 One third
(32.9 percent) of the total U.S. population of 296 mil-
lion lived in the 15 largest MSAs in 2005.
The target population for the NSDUH survey,
unlike the U.S. Census, is limited to the civilian non-
institutionalized population aged 12 or older. In the
combined 2002-2005 NSDUH data, the 15 MSAs
represent approximately 77.2 million civilian, non-insti-
tutionalized persons aged 12 and older. This is approxi-  cago (25.7 percent) and Houston (25.6 percent) MSAs
mately 32.2% of the national target population (an
estimated 239.1 million) of the same group.
Illicit Drug Use
In the Nation as a whole, an annual average of 8.1 per-
cent of persons aged 12 or older reported past month
illicit drug use during the combined years of 2002
to 2005 (Figure 1). Among the 15 largest MSAs, the
San Francisco (12.7 percent) and Detroit (9.5 percent)
MSAs had rates of past month illicit drug use that
were significantly higher than the rate for the Nation
were lower than the national average in the Houston
(6.2 percent), Dallas (6.5 percent), and Washington, DC
(6.5 percent) MSAs.
Binge Alcohol Use
In the Nation as a whole, an annual average of 22.7
percent of persons aged 12 or older reported past month
binge alcohol use during the combined years of 2002 to
2005 (Figure 2). Among the 15 largest MSAs, the Chi-
had higher rates than the Nation as a whole. The rates
of binge drinking were lower than the national average
in the Los Angeles (18.6 percent), Riverside/San Ber-
nardino (19.0 percent), Washington, DC (19.0 percent),
and New York (21.3 percent) MSAs.
Cigarette Use
In the Nation as a whole, an annual average of 25.3
percent of persons aged 12 or older reported past
month cigarette use during the combined years of
2002 to 2005 (Figure 3). Among the 15 largest MSAs,
January 5, 2007 NSDUH REPORT: SUBSTANCE USE IN THE 15 LARGEST METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS: 2002-2005

Figure 2. Percentages of Persons Aged 12 or Older Figure 3. Percentages of Persons Aged 12 or

Reporting Past Month Binge Alcohol Use,+ by Older Reporting Past Month Cigarette Use, by
Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 2002-2005 Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 2002-2005

Total United States 22.7 Total United States 25.3

New York*** 21.3 New York*** 22.5
Los Angeles*** 18.6 Los Angeles*** 17.9
Chicago*** 25.7 Chicago 26.2
Philadelphia 24.3 Philadelphia 25.7
Dallas 22.2 Dallas 24.1
Miami 21.7 Miami*** 22.0
Houston*** 25.6 Houston 25.1
Washington, DC*** 19.0 Washington, DC*** 19.8
Atlanta 19.7 Atlanta 23.0
Detroit 24.3 Detroit*** 27.4
Boston 25.0 Boston*** 20.8
San Francisco 23.1 San Francisco*** 17.9
Riverside/ 19.0 Riverside/ 19.2
San Bernardino*** San Bernardino***
Phoenix 24.6 Phoenix 26.0
Seattle 21.7 Seattle*** 21.4

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Source: SAMHSA, 2002-2005 NSDUHs. Source: SAMHSA, 2002-2005 NSDUHs.

5 An MSA is a city or urbanized area with 50,000 or more inhabitants, together

only the Detroit MSA (27.4 percent) had a rate of past
month cigarette use that was higher than the national
average. The Los Angeles (17.9 percent), San Francisco
(17.9 percent), Riverside/San Bernardino (19.2 percent),
Washington, DC (19.8 percent), Boston (20.8 percent),
Seattle (21.4 percent), Miami (22.0 percent), and New
York (22.5 percent) MSAs all had lower rates of past
month cigarette use than the Nation as a whole.
End Notes
1 Wright, D., & Sathe, N. (2006). State estimates of substance use from the
2003-2004 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (DHHS Publication
No. SMA 06-4142, NSDUH Series H-29). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
[Available at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/states.htm]
2 Office of Applied Studies. (2006). Substate estimates from the 2002-2004
National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration.
[Available at http://oas.samhsa.gov/metro.htm]
3 NSDUH measures the nonmedical use of prescription-type pain relievers,
sedatives, stimulants, or tranquilizers. Nonmedical use is defined as the use
of prescription-type drugs not prescribed for the respondent by a physician
or used only for the experience or feeling they caused. Nonmedical use of
any prescription-type pain reliever, sedative, stimulant, or tranquilizer does
not include over-the-counter drugs.
4 A
“drink” is defined as a can or bottle of beer, a glass of wine or a wine
cooler, a shot of liquor, or a mixed drink containing liquor.
with surrounding communities that have a high degree of economic and
social integration with that city or urbanized area. See the U.S. Census Bu-
reau. (2003, June 12). About metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas.
Retrieved October 26, 2006, from
http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/aboutmetro.html.
6 For some MSAs, the difference from the national estimate may appear larger
than some of those noted in the text and figures; however, because of the
larger variances in these MSAs, the differences are not statistically signifi-
cant.
7 The 2005 population estimates are from the U.S. Census Bureau. (2006,
August 21). Table 1. Annual estimates of the population of metropolitan and
micropolitan statistical areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 (CBSA-EST2005-
01). Retrieved October 26, 2006, from http://www.census.gov/population/
www/estimates/metropop/2005/cbsa-01-fmt.xls.
Table and Figure Notes
* The NSDUH population includes the civilian, noninstitutionalized popula-
tion aged 12 or older. The U.S. Census resident population represents all
persons, including persons aged 11 or younger, individuals in the military,
and persons living in institutional settings.
** Illicit
drugs refer to marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), inhalants,
hallucinogens, heroin, or prescription-type drugs used nonmedically.
*** Difference between estimate for MSA and estimate for the nation as a
whole significant at p<.05. For some MSAs, the difference from the national
estimate may appear larger than some of those noted in the text and figures;
however, because of the larger variances in these MSAs, the differences are
not statistically significant.
+ Binge drinking is drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at
the same time or within a couple of hours of each other) on at least 1 day in
the past 30 days.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Research findings from the SAMHSA 2002-2005 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs)

Substance Use in the

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is an annual survey sponsored
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Prior to
2002, this survey was called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA).
The combined 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 data are based on information obtained from

15 Largest Metropolitan
271,978 persons aged 12 or older. The survey collects data by administering question-
naires to a representative sample of the population through face-to-face interviews at
their place of residence.

Statistical Areas:
The NSDUH Report is prepared by the Office of Applied Studies (OAS), SAMHSA, and
by RTI International in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. (RTI International is a
trade name of Research Triangle Institute.)

Information on NSDUH used in compiling data for this issue is available in the following

2002-2005 publications:

Office of Applied Studies. (2006). Results from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health: National findings (DHHS Publication No. SMA 06-4194, NSDUH Series H-
30). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

l Among the 15 largest metropolitan statistical areas
(MSAs), the San Francisco (12.7 percent) and Detroit
(9.5 percent) MSAs had rates of past month illicit drug
use that were significantly higher than the rate for the
Office of Applied Studies. (2005). Results from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health: National findings (DHHS Publication No. SMA 05-4062, NSDUH Series H-
28). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Office of Applied Studies. (2004). Results from the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health: National findings (DHHS Publication No. SMA 04-3964, NSDUH Series H-
25). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Nation as a whole (8.1 percent) during the combined
years of 2002 to 2005
l Among the 15 largest MSAs, the Chicago (25.7 per-
cent) and Houston (25.6 percent) MSAs had higher
rates of binge drinking than the national average (22.7
percent)
l Among the 15 largest MSAs, only the Detroit (27.4 per-
cent) MSA had a rate of past month cigarette use that
was higher than the national average (25.3 percent)
Office of Applied Studies. (2003). Results from the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health: National findings (DHHS Publication No. SMA 03-3836, NSDUH Series H-
22). Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Also available online: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov.
Because of improvements and modifications to the 2002 NSDUH, estimates from the
2002 to 2005 surveys should not be compared with estimates from the 2001 or earlier
versions of the survey to examine changes over time.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration 
Office of Applied Studies 
www.samhsa.gov