Eight million persons aged 12 or older reported driving under the influence of illegal drugs during the past year - a 3.6 percent increase from 2000, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.

The report also showed that rates of drugged driving increased from 2000 to 2001 for young adults aged 18-34. Among adults aged 18 or older, those who were unemployed were more likely than full- or part-time workers to report driving under the influence of illegal drugs. Overall, drugged driving increased from 3.1 percent in 2000.

"Drugged driving is under-reported because it is under-recognized," SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said. "Young people, as well as parents, need to know that driving under the influence of any illegal drug is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol."

This report was released on Tuesday, Nov. 19 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Additional information, data and tables as well as copies of the full report can be found on-line at: www.DrugAbuseStatistics.samhsa.gov or by calling 1-800-729-6686.