Recent data shows that teen drug use in the United States has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to a new national survey released on Tuesday. The survey found that a significant number of 12th graders, 10th graders, and 8th graders reported abstaining from alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes in the past month, with the highest percentage of abstainers since the survey began in 2017.
While there was a slight increase in the use of nicotine pouches among 12th graders, overall substance use among teens remains low. The Monitoring the Future survey, which has been conducted since 1975, collected responses from approximately 24,000 students in grades 8, 10, and 12 from schools across the country.
Experts speculate that the decrease in teen drug use during the pandemic may be attributed to lockdowns and restrictions on social gatherings, which limited opportunities for experimentation and peer pressure. Additionally, the rise of smartphone communication among teens may have deterred substance use that typically occurs in group settings.
Some experts believe that the pandemic disrupted the cycle of new teens being introduced to drug use, as lockdowns prevented older adolescents from influencing younger classmates. Mental health factors, such as increased reports of depression and anxiety among teens during the pandemic, may also play a role in decreased substance use.
Overall, the survey results suggest a positive trend in teen substance use, but experts caution that it is still unclear whether these changes will persist in the long term.
By Mike Stobbe
