Press Release

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EMBARGOED UNTIL:
Contact: Tom Riley / Jennifer de Vallance 202–395–6618
December 16, 9:30 AM

(Washington, DC)—Characterizing today's Monitoring the Future survey as "an excellent start, " John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) applauded the efforts of communities and parents across America who have been successfully working to reduce youth drug use.

Director Walters stated, "Teen drug use is once again headed in the right direction-down. This survey confirms that our drug prevention efforts are working, and that when we work together and push back, the drug problem gets smaller. Drug use by our young people is headed down to levels that we haven't seen in years. This is very good news for communities across America."

Among the findings:

• Use of any illicit drug in the past year decreased by a statistically significant amount from 2001 to 2002 among 8th and 10th graders. Use at least once in the student's lifetime declined among 8th graders, and use in the past month declined among tenth graders. The percentages of 8th and 10th graders using any illicit drug were at their lowest level since 1993 and 1995, respectively.
• Among 10th graders, marijuana use in the past year and past month decreased from 2001 to 2002, and daily use in the past month was down as well. The past-year marijuana use rate of 14.6 percent among 8th graders is the lowest level seen 1994.
• Ecstasy use in the past year and past month decreased significantly among 10th graders from 2001 to 2002. Ecstasy use was down in all three grades. Past-year use rates were below those for year 2000 in each grade
• Lifetime and past-year LSD use decreased significantly among 8th, 10th and 12th graders. Past-year and past-month LSD use by 12th graders reached the lowest point in the 28-year history of the survey.
• Lifetime use of inhalants decreased in 8th and 10th graders, and past year use declined for 8th graders.

The Monitoring the Future Survey, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), tracks illicit drug use and attitudes of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students. It surveyed 44,000 students from 394 schools. It is one of three major surveys through which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) monitors the nation's substance abuse patterns. Information from these surveys helps the nation to identify potential drug problem areas and ensure that resources are targeted to areas of greatest need.