The Nation - News from Feb. 7, 1989

The illicit use of drugs in the U.S. armed forces has declined even more than had been indicated last summer by preliminary results of a worldwide survey, the Pentagon said. Use of marijuana declined from 6.5% in 1985 to 2.9% last year, while use of other illicit drugs dropped from 5.8% in 1985 to 3.1% in 1988, the Defense Department said in a statement. The overall figure for the use of any drug dropped from 9% in 1985 to 4.8% in 1988, the Pentagon said. Cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use also declined. Last July, based on preliminary survey results, the Pentagon projected 1988’s overall illegal drug use rate at 5.5%.