Teen substance use shows promising decline

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/niod-tsu121216.php

Public Release: 13-Dec-2016
Teen substance use shows promising decline
NIH monitoring the future survey shows use of most illicit substances down, but past year marijuana use relatively stable
NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

The 2016 Monitoring the Future (MTF) annual survey results released today from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reflect changing teen behaviors and choices in a social media-infused world. The results show a continued long-term decline in the use of many illicit substances, including marijuana, as well as alcohol, tobacco, and misuse of some prescription medications, among the nation's teens. The MTF survey measures drug use and attitudes among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders, and is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the NIH.

Findings from the survey indicate that past year use of any illicit drug was the lowest in the survey's history for eighth graders, while past year use of illicit drugs other than marijuana is down from recent peaks in all three grades.

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tags: drug use, drug abuse