Teen Substance Abuse Rates Hit Historic Lows, Yet Concerns Remain

Strategic Insights -

Teenagers' use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other substances is at a historic low, according to the latest Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey results. However, the decline in teen smoking rates has slowed, while other tobacco products, marijuana, and prescription drugs continue to pose significant concerns. The survey, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan under a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), polled over 46,000 students from 400 public and private schools in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cigarette use has declined to historically low rates, with 18.7% of 12th-graders reporting current (past-month) cigarette use, down from a peak of 36.5% in 1997.
  • Only 6.1% of eighth-graders reported current smoking, down from a peak of 21% in 1996.
  • Alcohol use remains a significant concern, with 63.5% of 12th-graders reporting past-year use, down from a peak of 74.8% in 1997.
  • Marijuana use has increased in recent years, with 36.4% of 12th-graders reporting past-year use, up from 31.5% five years ago.
  • 11.4% of 12th-graders reported past-year use of synthetic marijuana, also known as K2 or spice.
  • The non-medical use of prescription drugs remains a concern, with 8.1% of 12th-graders reporting abuse of the opioid painkiller Vicodin.
  • Despite declines in some areas, the overall trend suggests that teen substance abuse remains a significant public health concern.

Statistics:

  • 18.7% of 12th-graders reported current (past-month) cigarette use, compared to 36.5% in 1997.
  • 6.1% of eighth-graders reported current smoking, compared to 21% in 1996.
  • 63.5% of 12th-graders reported past-year use of alcohol, down from 74.8% in 1997.
  • 36.4% of 12th-graders reported past-year use of marijuana, up from 31.5% five years ago.
  • 11.4% of 12th-graders reported past-year use of synthetic marijuana (K2 or spice).
  • 8.1% of 12th-graders reported abuse of the opioid painkiller Vicodin.

Sources:

  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
  • University of Michigan
  • Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey
  • Drug Week editors
  • NewsRx.com