Chapter I.
Changing Patterns of Drug Use in America
B. Teen Drug Use Stable for Second Consecutive Year
After five years of increase, drug use by American teens has remained steady -- or has decreased -- for two consecutive years. According to the 1998 University of Michigan Monitoring the Future Survey (MTF), nearly all categories of drug use by eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders have either declined or remained unchanged for the second consecutive year. This follows five years of significantly rising drug use during the period 1992 through 1996.
From 1992 through 1996 illegal drug use increased substantially, particularly for marijuana but also for such drugs as cocaine and heroin. For example, marijuana use by eighth graders nearly tripled. In addition, the period in which teen drug use was increasing was preceded by erosion of anti-drug attitudes among youth. Both the perceived harmfulness of regular illicit drug use as well as the perceived social disapproval of drug use fell significantly among all categories of youth.
The results of the 1997 and 1998 MTF surveys give cause for optimism that teens are beginning to heed the prevention message. For example, past-year drug use by tenth graders fell from 38.5 percent to 35 percent, while the percentage of eighth graders who viewed marijuana use as risky increased. Despite these promising signs, the levels of teen drug use remain far too high, and attitudes toward illicit drugs still far too lax. Aggressive prevention efforts over the next decade should continue to bring these levels down.
