Teens’ Perceptions of Substance Abuse
In order to integrate policies for education and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse by teenagers and young adults, the U.S. government provides funding for surveying teens across the country. The Monitoring the Future project is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The survey is administered annually. In the most recent survey, over 45,000 students reported from almost 400 schools across the country. The survey targets eighth, 10th and 12th graders who are given the survey by researchers at the University of Michigan.
The recently released results show that trends are shifting in the attitudes teens have about drugs and their use of them. One area that showed significant improvement is the use of methamphetamine. Only 1.2 percent of students reported having used methamphetamine in the last year, which is the lowest rate since the questions regarding methamphetamine were added in 1999. In addition, fewer students say that methamphetamine is easily obtainable, compared with five years ago (14 percent versus 19.5 percent).
Another significant shift showed that cigarette smoking is at its lowest for all three ages in the history of the survey. Only 2.7 percent of eighth graders identified themselves as daily smokers, as compared with 10.4 percent in 2006. However, there is concern regarding the rise in smokeless tobacco use reflected in the recent survey. The rate of 10th graders using smokeless tobacco was higher than it was last year.
NIDA director Dr. Nora Volkow explains that this information is very important. The decline in cigarette use means longer lives for these teens, and the rise in smokeless tobacco use gives the NIDA critical information about where to focus their efforts.
Some measures on the survey were new this year. For instance, the survey included questions about the hallucinogenic salvia leaf, and the stimulant Adderall, used to treat ADHD. Many students are acquiring prescription drugs illegally, usually from a friend or relative. 5.7 percent of students reported having used the salvia leaf, and over 5 percent had also used Adderall.
The 2009 survey highlights the use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs by teenagers. Seven of the ten substances abused by the surveyed students were either prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
Although alcohol consumption has declined overall, the 2009 shows a softening of attitudes toward alcohol, with fewer students identifying binge drinking as a dangerous behavior.
The information provided by the survey of high school students is critical in helping the government decide how to allocate funds for education and prevention. As the attitudes of the teen population shifts, the focus of education and prevention will be able to shift with them.
