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Perceptions of Risk from Substance Abuse among Adolescents

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a report highlighting the perceptions of risk regarding substance abuse among adolescents. A national survey conducted in 2007 and 2008 found that nearly 70% of adolescents aged 12-17 perceive great risk from smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day. However, the perception of risk associated with other substances varies significantly by gender and age.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly 70% of adolescents aged 12-17 perceived great risk from smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day, with a stable rate across age groups.
  • Only 40% of adolescents perceived great risk from binge drinking (having five or more drinks of alcohol once or twice a week).
  • Females were more likely than males to perceive great risk from smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day, from having five or more drinks of alcohol once or twice a week, and from smoking marijuana once a month.
  • Males were more likely than females to perceive great risk from trying heroin once or twice.
  • About half (49.7%) of adolescents perceived great risk in using cocaine once a month.
  • More than half (50.9%) of adolescents perceived great risk in using LSD once or twice.

Statistics:

  • 44,979 adolescents aged 12-17 participated in the 2007 and 2008 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
  • 70% of adolescents perceived great risk from smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day.
  • 40% of adolescents perceived great risk from binge drinking (having five or more drinks of alcohol once or twice a week).
  • 34.2% of adolescents perceived great risk from smoking marijuana once a month.
  • 49.7% of adolescents perceived great risk in using cocaine once a month.
  • 50.9% of adolescents perceived great risk in using LSD once or twice.

Sources:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2009). Perceptions of Risk from Substance Abuse among Adolescents.
  • http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/158/158RiskPerceptions.cfm.
  • National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). (2007-2008). SAMHSA.
  • http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18235.

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