After the 13th annual survey on attitudes about drug abuse released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University found that about 2.3 million children currently use marijuana at least once a month and that more teens say it is easier for them to acquire prescription drugs than it is to buy alcohol, a new survey shows that people aged 18 to 25 are using less cocaine and methamphetamine, but they are using more prescription pain relievers compared to 2006.

The 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, resealed by the Department of Health and Human Services, also showed that more American teens who try drugs for the first time continue to use these drugs.

The survey included more than 67,000 participants and it was the nation’s largest survey on drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

From 2006 to 2007, cocaine use among adults decreased 23 percent to 1.7 percent, the report found.

Overall, from 2002 to 2007, the report found a decrease in the rates of adolescent substance abuse for almost every type of illegal drug, including marijuana, cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy as well as prescription drugs. An illegal drug is described as marijuana, hashish, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, and prescription drugs that are not used for medical purposes.

Alcohol use among adults ages 18-25 decreased from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 15.9 percent in 2007.

The report pointed to the association between substance abuse and mental health. 24.3 million Americans aged 18 or older experienced serious psychological distress, the report also found.