Teen Drug Statistics Are Often Misunderstood by Teens Themselves.
Here are 10 statistics about teen drug abuse – updated June 2021.
- 31% of 12th graders have not used any substances in their lifetime. [1]
- Youth who start drinking before age 15 are 7 times more likely to develop alcohol use disorders as adults than those who wait until after age 18. [2]
- Risky substance use and addiction is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and in most cases, it begins in the teen years. [3]
- 71% of 8th graders disapprove of people who smoke marijuana occasionally. [2]
- 63% of high school seniors disapprove of the regular use of marijuana. [2]
- More than 90,000 Americans died of an overdose in 2020. Addiction is more likely to start in the teen years that’s why delayed first-time use is so important. [4]
- Early initiation of drinking is associated with the development of an alcohol use disorder later in life. [5]
- After first trying cannabis or misusing prescription drugs, the percentages of young people who develop the corresponding substance use disorder are higher among adolescents (ages 12-17) than young adults (ages 18-25). [6]
- Underage drinking contributes to the 3 leading causes of death (unintentional injury, homicide, and suicide) among persons aged 12 to 20 years. [7]
- Early-onset of regular marijuana use among adolescents is linked to a decline in IQ and is associated with educational dropout. [8]
- The DEA has reported that more than 4 in 10 pills are laced with the fentanyl. [9]
SURPRISING BONUS FACT:
Teens who consistently learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t.[9]
There’s a chance that even with all the education and support you offer them, your child may try drugs or alcohol.
One of the keys is to delay that first-time use for as long as possible.
9 out of 10 people with addiction started in their teen years. Research shows the average age of first-time use of drugs is 13-14. If first-time use is delayed by 12-24 months, the likelihood of addiction drops dramatically. [10]
Youth are 6.5 times more likely to become addicted if they try drugs before age 21. [10]
Start your conversation with the tween or teen in your life. We’ve got 8 conversation starters you can help with your conversations here.
Get to know these important teen drug abuse statistics, set your teen up for a life addiction-free, and access our resources for free now!
NaturalHigh.org offers easy, effective, and fun ways for a community of educators, mentors, and parents to deliver these protective measures in a relevant way for today.
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