By Kelley Colihan Sept. 4, 2008 -- Are fewer Americans using illicit drugs? How many people are binge or heavy drinkers? To answer those questions and more, a new federal government study takes a look at trends in drug, alcohol, and tobacco use across...

After the 13th annual survey on attitudes about drug abuse released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University found that about 2.3 million children currently use marijuana at least once a month and that more teens say it is easier for them to acquire prescription drugs than it is to buy alcohol, a new survey shows that people aged 18 to 25 are using less cocaine and methamphetamine, but they are using more prescription pain relievers compared to 2006.

The 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, resealed by the Department of Health and Human Services, also showed that more American teens who try drugs for the first time continue to use these drugs.

The survey included more than 67,000 participants and it was the nation’s largest survey on drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

From 2006 to 2007, cocaine use among adults decreased 23 percent to 1.7 percent, the report found.

Overall, from 2002 to 2007, the report found a decrease in the rates of adolescent substance abuse for almost every type of illegal drug, including marijuana, cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy as well as prescription drugs. An illegal drug is described as marijuana, hashish, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, and prescription drugs that are not used for medical purposes.