SAMHSA: Fewer Americans driving under the influence

The share of Americans who reported driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year fell from 15.3% in 2002 to 11.1% in 2014, according to a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The share of Americans who reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs fell from 5% to 4.1% over the period, while the share who reported driving under the simultaneous influence of alcohol and illicit drugs fell from 3.3% to 2.4%. The data are from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. “Although it is heartening to see a downward trend in levels of driving under the influence of alcohol, it still kills thousands of people each year and shatters the lives of friends and loved ones left behind,” said Frances Harding, director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. “We must strive to save lives by reducing this public health threat through education, prevention and all other possible measures.”