The use of intoxicants, legal and otherwise, has “marginally declined” in the past four years, according to the 2013 National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health.

A high 84 percent of those surveyed supported the introduction of roadside sobriety checks.

Alcohol is the legal drug of choice among Bermuda’s adults, while cannabis remains the most commonly used illegal drug, and the easiest to obtain, according the survey.

Nearly half of surveyed residents favoured the decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis for personal use, while 41 percent were not in favour.

Just 18.4 percent of respondents said they were curious to try an illegal drug and 91 percent said they wouldn’t take drugs if given the opportunity.

It was the fifth such survey undertaken by Government, according to National Security Minister Michael Dunkley, who tabled it during Friday’s House of Assembly. A random selection of 1,200 residents aged 16 and upwards were surveyed by telephone questionnaire.

Substance use was highest among respondents working more than 40 hours a week, while binge drinking was more prevalent among males.

Only one quarter of residents surveyed gave their support for lowering the legal blood limit for driving while impaired.

“Conventional wisdom and research suggest that drug use flourishes when people believe that the risk of harm in using them, either physically or in some other way is minimal,” the survey report stated. “Nonetheless, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use were highest although their use is perceived to be of the highest risk.”

Overall, females were more likely to indulge in legal drugs such as alcohol, cigarettes, and inhalants, while males were more likely to engage in illegal drugs.