Marijuana Use Among Teens Increases, Worrying Experts

Strategic Insights -

A recent study by the Monitoring the Future Survey (MTF) has found significant increases in marijuana use among teens. According to the survey, 16 percent of eighth-graders reported using an illicit drug in the past year, up from 14.5 percent last year. Daily marijuana use increased significantly among all three grades surveyed, with 6.1 percent of high school seniors, 3.3 percent of 10th-graders, and 1.2 percent of eighth-graders reporting daily use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The rate of eighth-graders saying they have used an illicit drug in the past year jumped to 16 percent, up from last year's 14.5 percent.
  • Daily marijuana use increased among all three grades surveyed, with 6.1 percent of high school seniors, 3.3 percent of 10th-graders, and 1.2 percent of eighth-graders reporting daily use.
  • For 12th-graders, declines in cigarette use accompanied by recent increases in marijuana use have put marijuana ahead of cigarette smoking by some measures.
  • 21.4 percent of high school seniors used marijuana in the past 30 days, while 19.2 percent smoked cigarettes.
  • Nonmedical use of prescription drugs remains high, with Vicodin abuse decreasing to 8 percent among 12th-graders, while OxyContin use stayed the same at 5.1 percent.
  • Teens generally get prescription drugs from friends and family, whether given, bought, or stolen.
  • Binge drinking continued its downward trend, with 23.2 percent of high school seniors reporting having five or more drinks in a row during the past two weeks.
  • The perception that regular marijuana smoking is harmful decreased for 10th-graders (down from 59.5 percent in 2009 to 57.2 percent in 2010) and 12th-graders (from 52.4 percent in 2009 to 46.8 percent in 2010).

Statistics:

  • 16 percent of eighth-graders reported using an illicit drug in the past year (up from 14.5 percent last year).
  • 6.1 percent of high school seniors, 3.3 percent of 10th-graders, and 1.2 percent of eighth-graders reported daily marijuana use (increased from 5.2 percent, 2.8 percent, and 1.0 percent in 2009, respectively).
  • 21.4 percent of high school seniors used marijuana in the past 30 days.
  • 19.2 percent of high school seniors smoked cigarettes.
  • 8 percent of 12th-graders abused Vicodin (down from 9.7 percent in previous years).
  • 5.1 percent of 12th-graders used OxyContin.
  • 23.2 percent of high school seniors reported having five or more drinks in a row during the past two weeks (down from 25.2 percent in 2009).
  • 47.9 percent of high school seniors reported past-year consumption of flavored alcoholic beverages (down from 53.4 percent in 2009).

Sources:

  • National Institutes of Health
  • 2010 Monitoring the Future Survey (MTF)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
  • University of Michigan
  • National Survey on Drug Use and Health
  • Youth Risk Behavior Survey
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)