Press Release

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(Washington, D.C.)—Use of illicit drugs by teens has declined significantly since 2002, although it has remained stable since 2005, according to the largest and most comprehensive study of drug use in the United States, released today.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) also shows the number of teens who reported prescription drug abuse has reached its lowest level since 2002.

Among youth aged 12-17, the survey shows the significant decline in overall past-month illicit drug use from 2002 to 2008; from 11.6 percent in 2004 to 9.3 percent in 2008. Additionally, the number of teens who reported past-month use of prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs decreased significantly during this time frame, from 4.0 percent in 2002 to 2.9 percent in 2008. However, the study also reveals a few troubling trends over the past year, including the fact that, for individuals aged 12 or older, nonmedical use of painkillers continues to be an area of concern, with more recent initiates (2.18 million) than all illicit drugs except for marijuana.

“The survey findings are important because they often point to emerging patterns of substance abuse” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy.  “Although we see some success in the reduction of overall illicit drug use, methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse among teens, there are indications that progress in other areas may be at a standstill, or even slipping back. As we develop the Obama Administration's first drug control strategy, we will emphasize a balanced approach that can respond to current and emerging drug abuse trends. Improving substance abuse prevention and treatment systems will be among our priorities.”

The Office of National Drug Control Policy conducts the Nation's most visible effort to prevent and reduce teen drug use through the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, authorized by Congress in 1998. Collaborating with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the Campaign targets youth, particularly those aged 14-16, with anti-drug messages and information. It also reaches parents, encouraging them to talk to their teens about drugs and monitor their behaviors, actions shown to reduce drug use. Since 2007, the Campaign has included efforts to reach out to parents of teens to raise their awareness about teen prescription drug abuse; this national public awareness campaign was amplified with advertising during the 2008 Super Bowl and included broadcast, print, and online advertising, community outreach, and new print and online resources to help parents and communities combat the troubling trend of teen prescription drug abuse. The campaign to raise awareness about teen prescription drug abuse continues in 2009 with paid advertising, as well as media partnerships and outreach; materials for parents, educators, and other stakeholders are available on www.TheAntiDrug.com.

Additionally, the Media Campaign launched the third year of its Anti-Meth Campaign last week, which includes advertising on TV, radio, print, online, and billboards in 16 states with high meth usage and lab seizures, as well as national advertising on radio and online. The Campaign, which emphasizes prevention and the hope of recovery and treatment for methamphetamine addiction, will offer free PSAs to state and local government offices and nonprofit organizations in early 2010; all resources are available on a newly re-launched Federal Web site, www.MethResources.gov.

The 2008 NSDUH survey reaffirms the central role parents play in keeping their teens drug-free, and it supports the important work of reaching out to young people and their parents with messages of prevention and early intervention.

Although the survey revealed overall decreases in illicit drug use by teens, it also showed a softening in attitudes toward drug use with the percentage of teens who perceived “great risk of use” of marijuana once or twice a week decreasing significantly over the past year (54.7 percent in 2007 to 53.1 percent in 2008).

“We are encouraged to learn that teen prescription drug abuse is down, but we know it's a still a problem – for example, more people aged 12 and older start using prescription painkillers nonmedically than all illicit drugs except for marijuana, so we can't let off the accelerator on this issue,” said Robert W. Denniston, Director of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. “And teens' decreased perceptions of great risk from occasional use of marijuana and LSD is cause for concern, as perceptions of harm are correlated with substance use patterns. Parents need to continue to be vigilant in talking with their kids about the harms of illicit drug abuse, particularly in the face of a bombardment of pro-drug messages in all forms of teens' media worlds – especially online.”

A study released by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and Neilsen Online in June 2008 revealed that teens who watched videos online in a one-month period were exposed to 1.2 million drug-related videos. Eighty-five percent of online videos containing explicit drug use or intoxication also have comments that promote substance abuse.

NSDUH is a scientifically conducted annual survey of approximately 67,700 people throughout the country. Due to its size and statistical accuracy it is the Nation's primary source of information on the levels of illicit drug, alcohol, and tobacco use as well as certain mental health conditions.

For more information on the ONDCP National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, visit www.MediaCampaign.org

For more information about the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, visit www.SAMHSA.gov