Teens (but not adults) backing away from illicit drugs; underage drinking, smoking remain problematic

A recent survey indicates prescription drug abuse is increasing among older teens and young adults, and the source is often the family medicine cabinet.

By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. Oct. 15, 2007.

Washington -- The latest national survey on drug abuse shows that illicit substance use has declined among young teens over the past four years, but alarming numbers of 18- to 25-year-olds are continuing to misuse prescription drugs. Increased use of illegal drugs is also reported among adults ages 50 to 54.

Data from the "2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health" show that drug use among 12- to 17-year-olds has dropped to levels not seen since the early 1990s. Over the past four years there has been a 16% average decline in illicit drug use among young teens, with marijuana use showing the steepest decline.

The annual survey, previously known as the "National Household Survey on Drug Abuse," measures the use of tobacco and alcohol as well as illegal drugs among a 67,500-member sample age 12 and older. The survey did not show that much progress had been made in discouraging underage drinking or tobacco use.

The resulting data are the government's primary source of information on substance use among the civilian, noninstitutionalized population.

Parents play a significant role in dissuading young teens from using drugs, said John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Although 4.6% of teens who said their parents "strongly disapproved" of drug use reported that they used marijuana, five times as many teens who said their parents would not strongly disapprove used the drug.