Final answer:
The year drug use was most frequently in the news was 1986, marked by the peak of media coverage on drug abuse and heightened public concern, alongside government campaigns like "Just Say No" by Nancy Reagan.
Step-by-step explanation:
The year that drug use was most frequently in the news was during the 1980s. This period was marked by a significant increase in media coverage about drug abuse, particularly concerning the emergence of crack cocaine and the resulting policies from government authorities. 1986 is particularly notable as this was the peak of media coverage and public concern regarding drug issues, coinciding with initiatives like the "Just Say No" campaign led by First Lady Nancy Reagan and the war on drugs that escalated during the Reagan administration.