Trends in Youth Substance Abuse

The following figures were obtained from "Preliminary Results from the 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse", U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, SAMHSA - July, 1997.

Past Month Use: Cigarettes Alcohol Marijuana Any Illegal Drug
Ages 12-13 9% 7% 2% 3%
Ages 14-15 20% 20% 8% 10%
Ages 16-17 29% 32% 13% 16%

 

Comparisons In Substance Use by Smokers vs Nonsmokers
per 100 youth 12 to 17 years olds.

Reported cigarette use in the past month: 20 out of 100 smokers vs 80 out of 100 non-smokers.

Compare the reported use of alcohol among the smokers versus the non-smokers in this group of 100 youth:

Reported alcohol use in the past month: 11 of the 20 smokers versus 8 of the 80 non-smokers

56% of smokers had used alcohol, versus only 10% of non-smokers had used alcohol - a 5 to 1 ratio, meaning smokers were 5 times more likely to have used alcohol in the past month compared to non-smokers.

Now compare the reported use of marijuana among the smokers versus the non-smokers in this group:

Reported marijuana use in the past month: 6 of the 20 smokers versus 2 of the 80 non-smokers.

28% of smokers had used marijuana, versus only 2.5% of non-smokers had used marijuana - an 11 to 1 ratio, meaning smokers were 11 times more likely to have used marijuana in the past month compared to non-smokers.

Finally, compare the reported use of other drugs among the smokers vs the non-smokers:

Reported other drug use in the past month: 3 of the 20 smokers versus 1.5 of the non-smokers.

16% of smokers had used other drugs, versus only 2% of non-smokers had used other drugs - an 8 to 1 ratio, meaning smokers were 8 times more likely to have used other drugs in the past month compared to non-smokers.

 

To obtain information on another of the topics in this section, click on the highlighted words:

Warning Signs for Youth Substance Abuse.

What Parents Can Do to Keep Their Teen Drug Free.

Substances of Abuse and other information sites.

___________________________________________________________________

This web site is maintained by Turning Point Youth & Family Counseling
Jeffrey C. Pearce, M.Ed., LPC, LCAS, MAC, Executive Director
Please send comments and suggestions via e-mail to: jcp22@mindspring.com