Summary
- • 62% of teens who take prescription drugs get them from their home medicine cabinet
- • In 2019, 14.3% of high school students reported using prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription
- • Teens who abuse prescription drugs are 12 times more likely to use heroin
- • 1 in 4 teens report having misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime
- • 54.2% of prescription drug abusers got them from a friend or relative for free
- • In 2019, 3.7% of 12th graders reported using OxyContin for non-medical purposes
- • 36.8% of teens believe prescription drugs are much safer than illegal drugs
- • In 2019, 35.7% of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past year
- • Daily marijuana use among 8th and 10th graders has increased significantly since the mid-2000s
- • In 2019, 6.4% of 12th graders reported daily use of marijuana
- • About 1 in 6 people who start using marijuana as a teen will become addicted
- • Teens who use marijuana regularly are more likely to have memory issues and lower academic performance
- • In states where marijuana is legal, 12th graders are 40% more likely to have consumed marijuana edibles
- • Marijuana use among 8th graders increased by 4.1% between 2018 and 2019
- • In 2019, 25.5% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs in the past year
They say curiosity killed the cat, but for teens, it might just be the medicine cabinet. With a whopping 62% of teens sourcing prescription drugs from their own homes, it seems like theyre raiding their cupboards for more than just snacks. From prescription pills to popping pot, and everything in between, the statistics paint a picture of a generation experimenting with a pharmacopeia of substances. So grab your coffee, because were about to dive into the highs and lows of teen drug use – from pill popping to pot puffing, and everything in between.
Alcohol Use
- In 2019, 29.7% of 12th graders reported alcohol use in the past month
- 13.7% of 12th graders reported binge drinking (5+ drinks in a row) in the past two weeks
- In 2019, 3.8% of 8th graders reported being drunk in the past month
- 29% of high school students rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol
- Underage drinking accounts for about 11% of all alcohol consumed in the United States
- In 2019, 7.7% of 12th graders reported extreme binge drinking (10+ drinks in a row) in the past two weeks
- About 2.3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in 2019 drank alcohol in the past month
Interpretation
In a statistical whirlwind of teenage rebellion meets risky business, it appears that a not-so-inconsequential portion of America's youth population has been hitting the sauce with gusto. From casually sipping brews to engaging in Olympic-level binge drinking, our young citizens seem to be mastering the art of imbibing faster than they can legally sign up for a Netflix account. With a nonchalant disregard for their still-developing brains and a cavalier attitude towards road safety, these statistics paint a picture of underage shenanigans that leave us simultaneously concerned and mildly impressed by their resilience in the face of common sense. Cheers to the future leaders of tomorrow, who are apparently honing their party skills today.
Drug Use Trends
- In 2019, 46.6% of 12th graders reported ever using illicit drugs in their lifetime
- The percentage of 8th graders who have used illicit drugs has decreased from 22.1% in 2009 to 20.4% in 2019
- Misuse of prescription opioids among 12th graders has decreased from 9.5% in 2004 to 2.7% in 2019
- The percentage of 12th graders using amphetamines has decreased from 11% in 2013 to 4.5% in 2019
- Cocaine use among 12th graders has remained relatively stable at around 2-4% since 2009
- The percentage of 12th graders using inhalants has decreased from 3.8% in 2009 to 1.9% in 2019
- Synthetic cannabinoid use among 12th graders decreased from 11.4% in 2011 to 3.3% in 2019
Interpretation
In the tumultuous realm of teen substance use, the latest statistics offer a cocktail of trends worth noting. While the allure of illicit drugs continues to grip nearly half of 12th graders, there seems to be a glimmer of hope as the percentage of 8th graders dabbling in such mischief has tapered off. Prescription opioids, once a perilous temptation for high school seniors, are losing their appeal, perhaps signaling a shift towards more prudent choices. The rollercoaster ride of amphetamine use has taken a sharp downturn, while cocaine maintains its steady yet concerning place in the market. Inhalants seem to have fallen out of fashion, and synthetic cannabinoids are experiencing a decline of their own. It seems the adolescent landscape of experimentation is shifting, though not without its rocky remnants from past highs.
Illicit Drug Use
- In 2019, 25.5% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs in the past year
- 3.6% of 12th graders reported using cocaine in the past year
- 0.4% of 8th graders reported using methamphetamine in the past year
- In 2019, 3.3% of 12th graders reported using MDMA (ecstasy) in the past year
- 0.7% of 12th graders reported using heroin in their lifetime
- LSD use among 12th graders increased from 2% in 2016 to 3.6% in 2019
- 4.5% of 12th graders reported using hallucinogens other than LSD in the past year
Interpretation
In a society where some teens are more likely to have tried LSD than to have mastered basic algebra, these statistics are a psychedelic wake-up call. The numbers don't lie: our youth are experimenting with a cocktail of substances that could take them on a trip down a dangerous path. From methamphetamine to MDMA, it's clear that some teens are indulging in a buffet of mind-altering substances that may lead to long-lasting consequences. It's time for parents, educators, and policymakers to come together and address this new reality before it spins out of control. After all, the only high we should be chasing is the natural euphoria of reaching our full potential, not the artificial escape of a pill or a powder.
Marijuana Use
- In 2019, 35.7% of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past year
- Daily marijuana use among 8th and 10th graders has increased significantly since the mid-2000s
- In 2019, 6.4% of 12th graders reported daily use of marijuana
- About 1 in 6 people who start using marijuana as a teen will become addicted
- Teens who use marijuana regularly are more likely to have memory issues and lower academic performance
- In states where marijuana is legal, 12th graders are 40% more likely to have consumed marijuana edibles
- Marijuana use among 8th graders increased by 4.1% between 2018 and 2019
Interpretation
As the saying goes, "Just say no" seems to have transformed into "Just a little bit." With the increase in daily marijuana use among younger teens and the rising popularity of marijuana edibles, the landscape of adolescent drug habits is shifting. While some may view pot as harmless, the statistics tell a different story, with a significant portion of teens risking addiction, memory impairment, and academic setbacks. Maybe it's time for a new catchphrase: "Just a high school diploma, not a joint."
Prescription Drug Abuse
- 62% of teens who take prescription drugs get them from their home medicine cabinet
- In 2019, 14.3% of high school students reported using prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription
- Teens who abuse prescription drugs are 12 times more likely to use heroin
- 1 in 4 teens report having misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime
- 54.2% of prescription drug abusers got them from a friend or relative for free
- In 2019, 3.7% of 12th graders reported using OxyContin for non-medical purposes
- 36.8% of teens believe prescription drugs are much safer than illegal drugs
Interpretation
It seems like teens have found a loophole in their quest for a DIY pharmacy right at home – who needs a trip to the drugstore when you have a fully stocked medicine cabinet down the hall? But while they might be saving on copays, the stakes are higher than they realize. From popping pills without a prescription to trading in legitimate meds for a taste of the dark side, the statistics paint a sobering picture of how easily the lines between safe and risky behavior can blur. With the illusion that prescription drugs are somehow the "safer" choice, it’s clear that we need to do more than just lock away the medicine cabinet keys – we need to unlock the conversations about the dangers lurking behind closed doors.
Prevention and Treatment
- In 2019, 4.7% of 12th graders reported misusing ADHD medication in the past year
- Only about 10% of 12- to 17-year-olds who need substance use treatment actually receive it
- School-based prevention programs can reduce substance use among teens by 20-30%
- Teens who consistently learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs
- In 2019, only 8.4% of adolescents aged 12-17 with a substance use disorder received treatment
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in treating teen substance use disorders
- Family-based therapies can reduce teen substance use by 30-60%
Interpretation
In a world where 12th graders are popping ADHD pills like they're skittles and only a fraction of teens in need of substance use treatment actually receive help, it seems like we've got a serious case of missing the memo on responsible drug use. The good news? School-based prevention programs and parental guidance can actually make a dent in these alarming statistics. So, parents, it might be time to brush up on your drug talk game and start laying down some knowledge. After all, there's nothing more stylish than a teen with a brain full of smarts instead of substances.
Risk and Protective Factors
- Teens who participate in extracurricular activities are 50% less likely to use drugs
- Having a mental health disorder increases the risk of substance use among teens by 2-4 times
- Teens with low self-esteem are 2.5 times more likely to use drugs than those with high self-esteem
- Parental monitoring can reduce the likelihood of teen substance use by up to 42%
- Teens who have experienced trauma are 3 times more likely to report past-year illicit drug use
- Having a positive school environment can reduce the risk of substance use among teens by 20-30%
- Teens with strong religious beliefs are 30% less likely to use drugs than those without such beliefs
Interpretation
In a world where statistics can sometimes feel as unpredictable as a teenager's mood swings, the numbers don't lie when it comes to teen drug use. It seems that the recipe for a drug-free adolescence includes a dash of extracurricular activities, a pinch of parental monitoring, a sprinkle of self-esteem, and a healthy serving of mental health support. For those facing trauma, the road may be tougher, but not impossible to navigate with the right support systems in place. So let's all pledge to create a supportive and positive environment for our teens – after all, it seems like a little love and guidance can go a long way in keeping those rebellious tendencies at bay.
Tobacco Use
- In 2019, 5.7% of 12th graders reported daily cigarette use
- 2.4% of 10th graders reported smoking cigarettes daily in 2019
- In 2019, 5.7% of high school students reported using smokeless tobacco products
- 23.6% of high school students who smoke cigarettes started before age 13
- In 2019, 3.4% of 12th graders reported smoking half a pack or more of cigarettes per day
- 5.8% of high school students reported current cigar use in 2019
- Nearly 9 out of 10 adult cigarette smokers first tried smoking by age 18
Interpretation
In a world where teenagers are notorious for making questionable decisions, the statistics on teen smoking and tobacco use paint a rather bleak picture. From daily cigarette habits to early exposure to smoking, it seems like a significant portion of our youth are puffing away their potential. With nearly 9 out of 10 adult smokers lighting up for the first time before they hit adulthood, it's time to extinguish the idea that smoking is just a rite of passage. Let's not let our teens go up in smoke—let's light a fire under them to make healthier choices.
Vaping and E-cigarettes
- In 2019, 8.2% of 12th graders reported vaping marijuana in the past month
- From 2017 to 2019, the percentage of 12th graders who vaped nicotine in the past month more than doubled from 11% to 25.5%
- In 2019, 35.3% of 12th graders reported vaping in the past year
- 11.7% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes before the age of 13
- In 2019, 4.9% of 8th graders reported vaping marijuana in the past month
- 27.5% of high school students reported current e-cigarette use in 2019
- Among students who reported ever using e-cigarettes, 32.2% said they started because of the flavors
Interpretation
In a world where vaping statistics are skyrocketing faster than a cloud of cotton candy-scented vapor, it's clear that a significant portion of our youth are inhaling more than just ambition for the future. With numbers doubling, tripling, and twinkling like the lights on a neon vape pen, it's high time we blow away the smoke and mirrors and address the stark reality: our teens are exhaling their potential for a healthy, drug-free future. From fruity flavors to marijuana highs, the allure of the vape seems to have clouded judgment more effectively than even the densest fog. As we navigate this haze of statistics, it's evident that we must clear the air, for our teens' future success depends on it.
