In Pinellas County, alcohol has the highest prevalence of use over any other substance for all age groups.  In 2008, Pinellas County adults had higher rates of alcohol use than Florida statewide averages, 61.2% versus 51.3% respectively, (National Center for Disease Control’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data).  In 2008, Pinellas County students had higher rates of alcohol use in their lifetime (54.9%) compared to Florida students statewide (53.2%), and the percentage of Pinellas County high school students who reported using alcohol at age 13 or under was 34.9% versus 32.3% statewide.  Additionally, the 30-day prevalence rate for alcohol use among high school students in Pinellas County is 42.1% compared to  39.5% statewide (2008, Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey). 

Other drug use is also prevalent throughout the county. In 2009, there were 8,582 drug/narcotic arrests in Pinellas County. Data obtained through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) showed there were 733 juvenile charges and 6,189 young adult charges for alcohol and other drugs in 2009. 

The misuse and abuse of prescription drugs is an increasing concern in Pinellas County.  According to the Substance Use, Health, and Safety Survey, non-medical use of prescription drugs in Pinellas County middle and high school students increased from 2006 to 2008: an overall 22.2% in 6th, 9.8% in 8th, 16.7% in 10th and 70.6% in 12th grade.  The 2008 Medical Examiners Commission Drug Report states there were 8 youth fatalities and 62 young adult fatalities caused by prescription drugs in Pinellas County in 2008 and 11 youth and 72 young adult cases where prescription drugs were present in toxicology reports at time of death. 

Marijuana is the second most commonly used drug among Pinellas County youth with a past 30-day prevalence rate of 20.2% compared to the statewide average of 16.2%.  The percentage of high school students in Pinellas County who reported using marijuana at age 13 or under was 15.5% versus 10.6% statewide  (FYSAS, 2008). 

Cigarettes are the third most commonly used drug among Pinellas County youth with a 30-day prevalence rate among high school students of 14.6% compared to the statewide average of 12.6%. The percentage of Pinellas County high school students who reported using cigarettes at age 13 or under was 22.8% versus 19.9% statewide, and 29.2% of all students in Pinellas County used tobacco on at least one occasion in their lifetime compared to a statewide frequency of 27.0% (FYSAS, 2008). 

Alcohol and drug indicator information and statistics on Pinellas County:

click here for March 2010 version

click here for October 2009 version

click here for April 2009 version

click here for 2008 version

Fact Sheets:

Prescription_Drug Fact_Sheet

2008 Pinellas County alcohol Fact Sheet

Pinellas County Methamphetamines Fact Sheet

Hillsborough County 21 and up Fact Sheet

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