The annual Monitoring the Future survey, based on responses from 24,000 students in grades 8, 10, and 12, has shown that teen drug use hasn’t rebounded from its drop during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This survey is considered one of the best sources of national data for substance use by teens.
The big picture: The survey findings reveal that about two-thirds of 12th graders this year said they hadn’t used alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes in the previous 30 days – the largest proportion abstaining since the survey’s inception in 2017.
- Among 10th graders, 80% reported not using any of these substances recently, which is also a record. Additionally, 90% of 8th graders didn’t use any of these substances, similar to the previous survey.
- The survey also noted a significant increase in the use of nicotine pouches among 12th graders, with about 6% reporting their use in the previous year, up from about 3% in 2023.
Go deeper: The pandemic’s impact on teen drug use is noticeable, as the restrictions and lockdowns led to a decrease in alcohol and drug use, mostly due to reduced opportunities for social gatherings and peer pressure.
- Prior to the pandemic, there were already declining trends in teen cigarette smoking, drinking, and use of several drugs. It’s believed that increased smartphone communication and decreased in-person social activities may have contributed to these declines.
