Prescription Drug Abuse Among U.S. High School Students Worrying Trend

Strategic Insights -

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five U.S. high school students have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription, highlighting a concerning trend of prescription drug abuse among young individuals. The 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) revealed that prescription drug abuse was most prevalent among white students (23 percent), followed by Hispanic students (17 percent), and black students (12 percent). Additionally, the survey showed that 12th-grade students were more likely to engage in prescription drug abuse (26 percent) compared to 9th-grade students (15 percent).

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) revealed that one in five U.S. high school students have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription.
  • Prescription drug abuse was most prevalent among white students (23 percent), followed by Hispanic students (17 percent), and black students (12 percent).
  • 12th-grade students were more likely to engage in prescription drug abuse (26 percent) compared to 9th-grade students (15 percent).
  • There was no significant difference in prescription drug abuse by gender, with 20 percent of male and female students reporting prescription drug abuse.
  • The YRBS also found that 72 percent of high school students ever used alcohol, 37 percent ever used marijuana, and 6.4 percent ever used cocaine.
  • Analysis of National YRBS data showed encouraging trends in nutrition-related behaviors, including a decrease in the percentage of students drinking soda at least once per day (34 percent in 2007 to 29 percent in 2009) and an increase in the percentage of students eating fruit or drinking 100 percent fruit juice two or more times per day (30 percent in 2005 to 34 percent in 2009).
  • Many high school students engage in other risk behaviors that are harmful to their overall health and increase their risk of disease and injury, including not eating fruits and vegetables five or more times per day (78 percent), being physically inactive for at least 60 minutes daily (82 percent), and smoking cigarettes (19 percent).

Statistics:

  • 20 percent of high school students have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription.
  • 23 percent of white students have engaged in prescription drug abuse.
  • 17 percent of Hispanic students have engaged in prescription drug abuse.
  • 12 percent of black students have engaged in prescription drug abuse.
  • 26 percent of 12th-grade students have engaged in prescription drug abuse.
  • 15 percent of 9th-grade students have engaged in prescription drug abuse.
  • 72 percent of high school students have ever used alcohol.
  • 37 percent of high school students have ever used marijuana.
  • 6.4 percent of high school students have ever used cocaine.
  • 34 percent of high school students drank soda at least once per day in 2007.
  • 29 percent of high school students drank soda at least once per day in 2009.
  • 30 percent of high school students ate fruit or drank 100 percent fruit juice two or more times per day in 2005.
  • 34 percent of high school students ate fruit or drank 100 percent fruit juice two or more times per day in 2009.
  • 78 percent of high school students did not eat fruits and vegetables five or more times per day.
  • 82 percent of high school students were not physically active for at least 60 minutes daily.
  • 19 percent of high school students smoked cigarettes during the 30 days before the survey.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Youth Risk Behavior Survey data available at www.cdc.gov/yrbs.