Summary
- • Over 7% of 8th graders have used illicit drugs in the past month.
- • 5% of high school seniors report taking prescription drugs without a prescription.
- • Approximately 20% of adolescents use marijuana before they turn 18.
- • 26% of 8th graders have tried alcohol at least once.
- • 2% of 8th graders reported using hallucinogens in the past year.
- • 7% of high school seniors have used Ecstasy (MDMA) at least once.
- • 9.4% of 12th graders have used cocaine in their lifetime.
- • 2.5% of high school seniors have used methamphetamine in their lifetime.
- • 3.9% of 10th graders have used Adderall without a prescription in the past year.
- • 5% of high school seniors report using synthetic cannabinoids in the past year.
- • 15% of high school students have used e-cigarettes in the past month.
- • 12% of high school students have taken prescription opioids without a prescription.
- • 3.1% of 10th graders have used inhalants in the past year.
- • 9% of high school seniors report using hallucinogens in their lifetime.
- • 4.2% of 8th graders report misuse of prescription opioids in the past year.
Move over, avocado toast – it seems like substance experimentation is the latest trend among adolescents, with stats showing that they are dabbling in a variety of substances like theyre connoisseurs in a forbidden buffet. From trying out hallucinogens to playing pharmacist with prescription meds, it seems like our young ones are viewing Just Say No as more of a suggestion. With over 7% of 8th graders channeling their inner rock stars with illicit drugs and a surprising 15% vaping away their troubles with e-cigarettes, its a wild world out there in the teenage jungle gym of highs and lows.
Alcohol
- 26% of 8th graders have tried alcohol at least once.
Interpretation
Despite the alarming statistic that 26% of 8th graders have experimented with alcohol, one could argue that these youngsters are simply conducting some early market research for their future wine-tasting careers. Jokes aside, it's crucial to recognize that adolescent drug use can have serious consequences on physical and mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. This data serves as a reminder that prevention and education efforts need to be continually reinforced to guide our young ones towards healthier choices and brighter futures.
Illicit drugs
- Over 7% of 8th graders have used illicit drugs in the past month.
- Approximately 20% of adolescents use marijuana before they turn 18.
- 2% of 8th graders reported using hallucinogens in the past year.
- 7% of high school seniors have used Ecstasy (MDMA) at least once.
- 9.4% of 12th graders have used cocaine in their lifetime.
- 2.5% of high school seniors have used methamphetamine in their lifetime.
- 5% of high school seniors report using synthetic cannabinoids in the past year.
- 15% of high school students have used e-cigarettes in the past month.
- 12% of high school students have taken prescription opioids without a prescription.
- 3.1% of 10th graders have used inhalants in the past year.
- 9% of high school seniors report using hallucinogens in their lifetime.
- 3.8% of high school students have used cocaine in the past year.
- 7% of 12th graders report using synthetic cannabinoids in the past year.
- 10% of high school seniors have used methamphetamine in their lifetime.
- 18% of high school seniors have used illicit drugs other than marijuana in their lifetime.
- 2.3% of 10th graders have used heroin in their lifetime.
- 5.9% of high school students have used synthetic cannabinoids in the past year.
- 6.7% of high school seniors have used steroids in their lifetime.
- 7% of 8th graders report using inhalants in their lifetime.
- 3.2% of 10th graders have used hallucinogens in the past year.
- 3% of high school students report using anabolic steroids in their lifetime.
- 5.3% of high school students have used cocaine in their lifetime.
- 1.8% of 8th graders have used ecstasy (MDMA) in their lifetime.
- 3.7% of 12th graders have used methamphetamine in the past year.
- 14% of 10th graders have used synthetic cannabinoids in the past year.
- 3.3% of high school students have used heroin in their lifetime.
- 6% of 8th graders have used anabolic steroids in their lifetime.
- 2.8% of high school seniors report using heroin in the past year.
- 4% of 8th graders have used cocaine in their lifetime.
- 9.2% of 12th graders have used synthetic cannabinoids in their lifetime.
Interpretation
Despite the alarming prevalence of adolescent drug use statistics, it appears that our youth are busy exploring a variety of mind-altering substances like they're collecting trading cards. From marijuana to methamphetamine, it seems like teens are creating their own DIY pharmacopoeia. Perhaps they're just trying to figure out which substance best pairs with the chaos of adolescence, or maybe they're all just aspiring pharmacists with a flair for experimentation. Regardless, maybe it's time we offer them a chemistry class that focuses on something other than illicit substances. The periodic table can be fascinating enough without adding hallucinations and risky behavior to the mix.
Prescription drugs
- 5% of high school seniors report taking prescription drugs without a prescription.
- 3.9% of 10th graders have used Adderall without a prescription in the past year.
- 4.2% of 8th graders report misuse of prescription opioids in the past year.
- 6.2% of 10th graders report misuse of prescription stimulants in the past year.
- 17% of high school seniors have used sedatives or tranquilizers not prescribed to them.
- 11.5% of 12th graders have used prescription opioids in the past year without a prescription.
- 11% of high school seniors have used prescription opioids in their lifetime without a prescription.
- 8% of high school seniors have used sedatives or tranquilizers not prescribed to them in the past year.
- 7.9% of 10th graders have used prescription opioids without a prescription in the past year.
Interpretation
Amidst the sea of statistics lies a troubling reality of adolescent drug use: a generation that is not just breaking the rules, but also the pharmacy cabinets. From 8th graders dabbling with opioids to high school seniors casually popping sedatives like candy, it seems our youth are on a quest for a pharmacological adventure. Whether it's the allure of a focus boost from Adderall or the siren call of tranquilizers, these numbers paint a picture of a generation navigating the murky waters of substance misuse. As parents worry about the birds and the bees talk, perhaps it's time for a new conversation around the pills and the prescriptions.
