NEW YORK — Recent findings from a significant annual national survey reveal that adolescent drug use remains below pre-pandemic levels, with the figures showing a continuing trend of abstinence among teens.
This year, approximately two-thirds of high school seniors reported that they had not engaged in the use of alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. This marks the highest level of abstinence documented since the survey began assessing such behaviors in 2017.
In the 10th grade cohort, an impressive 80% claimed to have refrained from using any of these substances recently, setting another record. For 8th graders, the statistic stands at 90%, which matches the findings from the previous year’s survey.
Interestingly, the only notable increase in substance use was observed in nicotine pouches, where around 6% of 12th graders reported using them over the past year, compared to roughly 3% in 2023. The implications of this increase in nicotine pouch usage as a potential public health concern remain uncertain. Richard Miech from the University of Michigan, who oversees the survey, remarked on the ambiguity of this trend, stating, “It’s hard to know if we’re seeing the start of something, or not.”
The federally funded Monitoring the Future survey, which has been assessing substance use since 1975, collected this year’s data from around 24,000 students across grades 8, 10, and 12 in various schools nationwide. Noah Kreski, a researcher from Columbia University, acknowledged this survey as a premier source of national data regarding teen substance use.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, students were instructed to remain at home, avoiding schools, parties, and social gatherings. With parents overseeing them, instances of alcohol and drug usage saw a decline since such behavior is often influenced by peer interactions. Experts suggest that experimentation typically occurs in social settings where peer pressure is present.
When the lockdowns were lifted, there was an expectation from some that there would be at least a partial resurgence in substance use, Miech noted. Furthermore, prior to the pandemic, there had been a decline in cigarette smoking, drinking, and consumption of various drugs among teens. Experts speculated that many young people were opting to stay home and connect through smartphones, rather than engaging in group activities where illegal substances may be used.
Prior to the pandemic, marijuana use had not been declining, and there was a rise in vaping. However, the pandemic resulted in a persistent decline in both areas of substance use. Some experts ponder whether the experiences during the pandemic lockdowns may have had a more profound, long-lasting impact.
Miech pointed out that most teens typically begin to experiment with e-cigarettes or drugs in the 9th grade, often influenced by older students. However, the cohort that was in 9th grade during the lockdowns did not develop these habits and therefore did not present negative influences on younger students. He remarked, “The pandemic stopped the cycle of new kids coming in and being recruited to drug use.”
Mental health factors could also play a significant role in this trend. Following the onset of the pandemic, reports of anxiety and depression among children surged. While depression is often linked to substance use, some individuals dealing with mental health issues may exhibit a heightened caution regarding drugs. Dr. Duncan Clark, a psychiatrist at the University of Pittsburgh, noted the intricate relationship between mental health and substance use in adolescents. “Some teens with anxiety are worried about the effects of substances. They may also be socially inhibited and have less opportunity to use drugs,” he explained. “It’s a complicated relationship.”