Dynamics in the Use of Drugs

This paper uses information about prime age individuals living in Amsterdam to study the dynamics in the use of drugs, in particular alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. The analysis concerns starting rates, transitions from non-use to use, as well as quit rates, transitions from use to non-use. Particular attention is given to the effect of the age of onset on quit behavior. The empirical analysis shows that for most of the drugs investigated the age of onset has a positive effect on the quit rate. The earlier individuals start using a particular drug the less likely they are to stop using that drug