According to data released in the recent Monitoring the Future Survey, 2021 saw the largest one-year decrease in overall illicit substance abuse reported among adolescents since 1975.
The MTF Survey, conducted annually by the University of Michigan, measures drug and alcohol use and related attitudes among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students. Researchers gathered over 32,000 surveys between February and June 2021 from students in U.S. public and private schools. Analysis of survey data found that adolescents in all three grades reported significant decreases in substances most commonly used - alcohol, marijuana, and vaped nicotine.
Declines in the use of substances among teens include:
ALCOHOL: percentage of students reporting use of alcohol within the past year decreased significantly for 10th and 12th grade students but remained stable for 8th graders
8th graders: 17.2% reported using alcohol in past year in 2021 - steady compared to 20.5% in 2020 (not a significant decrease)
10th graders: 28.5% reported using alcohol in past year in 2021 - statistically significant decrease from 40.7% in 2020
12th graders: 46.5% reported using alcohol in past year in 2021 - statistically significant decrease from 55.3% in 2020
MARIJUANA: percentage of students reporting use of marijuana in all forms, including smoking and vaping, within the past year decreased significantly across the board
8th graders: 7.1% reported using marijuana in the past year in 2021 - compared to 11.4% in 2020
10th graders: 17.3% reported using marijuana in the past year in 2021 - compared to 28.0% in 2020
12th graders: 30.5% reported using marijuana in the past year in 2021 - compared to 35.2% in 2020
VAPING NICOTINE: Vaping continues to be the predominant method of nicotine consumption among young people, though percentage of students who reported vaping nicotine within the past year decreased significantly
8th graders: 12.1% reported vaping nicotine in the past year in 2021, compared to 16.6% in 2020
10th graders: 19.5% reported vaping nicotine in the past year in 2021, compared to 30.7% in 2020
12th graders: 26.6% reported vaping nicotine in the past year in 20201, compared to 34.5% in 2020
ANY ILLICIT DRUG, OTHER THAN MARIJUANA: percentage of students who reported using any illicit drug (other than marijuana) within the past year was cut nearly in half
8th graders: 4.6% reported using any illicit drug (other than marijuana) in past year in 2021, compared to 7.7% in 2020
10th graders: 5.1% reported using any illicit drug (other than marijuana) in past year in 2020, compared to 8.6% in 2020
12th graders: 7.2% reported using any illicit drug (other than marijuana) in past year in 2021, compared to 11.4% in 2020
Significant declines in use were also reported across a wide range of drugs for many of the age cohorts, including for cocaine, hallucinogens, and non-medical use of amphetamines, tranquilizers, and prescription opioids.
While overall results are optimistic, it should be noted that data was collected in the early months of 2021 when many students continued to learn remotely from home. Students were also surveyed on mental health with findings showing moderate increases across all age-groups in feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, worry, sleep difficulties, and other negative health indicators since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is more important now than ever to remain proactive to ensure that prevention efforts are prioritized so youth will feel supported, be provided with access to care, and empowered with knowledge and essential coping skills so they will not be tempted to initiate into substance use and other risky behaviors for their overall health and well-being.
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