Older Americans have increasingly turned to using illegal drugs in recent years, according to new figures out of Washington.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that a little more than 9% of Americans aged 12 and older (about 24 million people) were current consumers of illicit substances.

But among aging Baby Boomers, the rate of drug use has doubled and even tripled.

For individuals 50 to 54 years old, the rate leaped from 3.4% in 2002 to 7.2% last year.

During the same time period, the rate more than tripled from 1.9% to 6.6% for those aged 55 to 59.

And among those in the 60-64 age category, the rate increased from 1.1% in 2003 to 3.6% in 2012.

The most commonly used illegal drug by seniors and younger Americans was marijuana, according to the report.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Drug Use Doubles Among U.S. Baby Boomers and Seniors (Agence France-Presse)

Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Half of Elderly in UK Use Prescribed Drugs that Shorten Life or Hurt Brain Function (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)          

Who’s Abusing Which Substances? (by David Wallechinsky and Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)