Summary
- • Nearly 1 in 5 high school students has reported misusing prescription medications.
- • 6.5% of high school students have misused prescription stimulants in the past year.
- • About 9% of adolescents have misused over-the-counter cough and cold medications in the past year.
- • 13.7% of high school students have used an illicit drug in the past year.
- • 88.4% of high school students do not currently use marijuana.
- • 43.1% of high school students reported using marijuana before the age of 15.
- • In 2019, 2.5% of high school students reported misusing prescription opioids.
- • Around 15.3% of high school students have used cocaine in their lifetime.
- • The lifetime prevalence of heroin use among high school students is 2.2%.
- • 40.2% of high school students reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.
- • Over 30% of high school students have tried smoking cigarettes by the 12th grade.
- • 20.8% of high school students have used electronic vapor products in the past 30 days.
- • Prescription stimulant misuse among high school students is higher among females than males.
- • In 2020, 3.4% of high school students reported heroin use in the past year.
- • 9.4% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13.
Concentration – its like trying to herd cats while juggling flaming torches on a unicycle. With nearly 1 in 5 high school students wandering off the path of focus to dabble in prescription medications, and a wild 15.3% venturing into the realms of cocaine use, its a battlefield out there. But fear not, for amidst the chaos and haze of substance misuse lie glimmers of hope – 88.4% valiantly steering clear of the haze of marijuana, while 40.2% resolutely sticking to the comfort of a drink when needed. So grab your mental machete and lets delve into the jungle of teen distractions to uncover the keys to unlocking true concentration prowess.
Alcohol Use
- 40.2% of high school students reported using alcohol in the past 30 days.
- 9.4% of high school students reported drinking alcohol before age 13.
- Rates of substance use among high school students vary by race/ethnicity.
- 27.0% of high school students reported using alcohol in the past month.
Interpretation
In a sobering snapshot of today's high school landscape, it's clear that alcohol holds a significant presence among students, with over 40% indulging in the past month and almost 10% taking their first sip before hitting their teenage years. However, the intricacies of substance use are not served in a one-size-fits-all flask, as rates fluctuate by race and ethnicity, showcasing a complex tapestry of habits that demand deeper understanding and targeted intervention to ensure a healthier, more informed future for our youth.
Electronic Cigarette Use
- 20.8% of high school students have used electronic vapor products in the past 30 days.
- 30.7% of high school students reported using electronic vapor products in the past year.
- 30.4% of high school students reported ever using electronic cigarettes.
Interpretation
It seems like high school students have picked up a new skill - blowing off steam with electronic vapor products. With 20.8% of them getting their fix in the past month, 30.7% indulging in the past year, and a staggering 30.4% trying them at least once, it's evident that vaping is becoming as common among teens as Fortnite victories. While these statistics may raise eyebrows and concern among parents and educators, it certainly sheds a light on the current trend of high schoolers opting for high-tech clouds instead of low-key study breaks.
Illicit Drug Use
- 13.7% of high school students have used an illicit drug in the past year.
Interpretation
In a statistic that might leave some scratching their heads and others shaking their fists, it appears that 13.7% of high school students have dabbled in the forbidden world of illicit drugs within the past year. While some may argue that adolescence is a time for experimentation, one cannot help but wonder if those kids missed the memo on the importance of staying in school and saying no to peer pressure. With their futures on the line, perhaps it's time for these students to swap out their smoke-filled breaks for a more academic high.
None of the listed categories are relevant for the statistic provided
- 88.4% of high school students do not currently use marijuana.
Interpretation
In a world where the green weed seems to be on everyone's lips, it turns out that the majority of high school students are sticking to the old-fashioned extracurriculars. With 88.4% steering clear of the hazy haze, it seems like the next generation might actually be choosing clear minds over clouds of smoke. Let's hope this trend keeps blazing forward and that these stats don't go up in smoke anytime soon.
Prescription Drug Misuse
- Nearly 1 in 5 high school students has reported misusing prescription medications.
- 6.5% of high school students have misused prescription stimulants in the past year.
- About 9% of adolescents have misused over-the-counter cough and cold medications in the past year.
- In 2019, 2.5% of high school students reported misusing prescription opioids.
- Prescription stimulant misuse among high school students is higher among females than males.
- In 2019, 5.7% of high school students reported misuse of prescription sedatives or tranquilizers.
- 11.7% of high school students reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers in 2019.
- In 2019, 7.1% of high school students misused amphetamines.
- 7.0% of high school students reported using prescription opioids without a prescription in the past year.
- 2.1% of high school students reported using amphetamines in the past month.
Interpretation
Despite the seemingly endless array of extracurricular activities available to high school students these days, it seems a shocking number are turning to a different kind of "stimulant" to cope with the pressures of academic life. With nearly 1 in 5 students admitting to misusing prescription medications, it's clear that the quest for success has taken a dangerous detour into the medicine cabinet. Whether it's the allure of prescription stimulants or the siren call of sedatives, it's becoming increasingly apparent that achieving high grades shouldn't come at the expense of one's health. Perhaps it's time to swap out the pressure for some good old-fashioned caffeine and late-night study sessions - after all, a cup of coffee won't land you in detention.
Synthetic Drug Use
- 43.1% of high school students reported using marijuana before the age of 15.
- Around 15.3% of high school students have used cocaine in their lifetime.
- The lifetime prevalence of heroin use among high school students is 2.2%.
- In 2020, 3.4% of high school students reported heroin use in the past year.
- Inhalant use was reported by 8.2% of high school students in the past year.
- 1.8% of high school seniors reported past-month methamphetamine use in 2019.
- 17.7% of high school students have used synthetic cannabinoids in their lifetime.
- Over 40% of high school students have tried marijuana by 12th grade.
- 4.8% of high school students reported using hallucinogens in the past year.
- 1.4% of high school students reported using cocaine in the past month.
- 2.7% of high school students have tried heroin by 12th grade.
- 18.1% of high school students reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.
- 5.5% of high school students reported using methamphetamines in the past year.
- 2.7% of high school seniors reported using MDMA (Ecstasy) in the past year.
- 0.6% of high school students reported using bath salts in the past year.
- 3.7% of high school students reported using cocaine in the past year.
- 1.4% of high school students reported using heroin in the past year.
Interpretation
In a world where high school statistics sound more like a menu of dangerous recreations than a report card of academic achievements, these numbers paint a sobering picture of the precarious landscape many young people navigate. From the early initiation into marijuana to the flirtation with harder substances like cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, these figures serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive education, prevention, and support systems for our youth. In the face of these alarming trends, it's clear that we must move beyond mere statistics and towards meaningful actions that prioritize the well-being and safety of our future generations.
Tobacco Use
- Over 30% of high school students have tried smoking cigarettes by the 12th grade.
- Non-Hispanic black high school students have lower rates of marijuana use compared to their white and Hispanic peers.
- 24.6% of high school students have smoked a cigarette in their lifetime.
- 47.5% of high school students have ever used hookah or water pipes.
Interpretation
These statistics paint a picture of the diverse paths that high school students navigate when it comes to substance use. With over 30% experimenting with cigarettes by 12th grade, it's clear that rebellious tendencies linger on campus like an after-school scent. However, the data also reveals shifts in preferences, with non-Hispanic black students blowing off steam with less marijuana compared to their counterparts – perhaps opting for different types of highs. From puffing the magic dragon to sipping from the hookah, it seems that the teenage experience is as much about exploring altered states as it is about standardized testing.
