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Date: Thursday, Dec. 19, 1996 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mona Brown, Sheryl Massaro - (301) 443-6245
Marijuana and tobacco use increased among eighth and tenth graders between 1995 and 1996, while use of these substances remained generally level among twelfth graders, according to the 22nd annual "Monitoring the Future" survey, released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The survey also showed an increase in the use of alcohol by eighth graders.
The survey showed increases in lifetime, annual, current (use within the past 30 days) and daily use of marijuana by eighth and tenth graders, continuing a trend that began in the early 1990s. Among twelfth graders, rates of marijuana use remained high and increased for lifetime use, but for the first time since 1993 showed no significant change in annual, current or daily use.
Cigarette smoking also continued to rise among eighth and tenth graders and remained high among twelfth graders, although there were no statistically significant changes in the high school seniors’ cigarette use.
Daily use of alcohol increased for eighth graders, while remaining level for tenth and twelfth graders, although at high rates.
The findings were released at a press conference by HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala, National Drug Control Policy Director Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey (Ret.), Education Secretary Richard Riley and Transportation Secretary Frederico Pena.
The clear increase in use of marijuana among younger high school students stood in contrast with mixed and overall unchanged measures for other drugs. Secretary Shalala noted in particular that this year’s survey shows an increasing problem with perceptions of the dangers posed by marijuana. Among eighth and tenth graders, the perceived risk of using marijuana continued to decline, while perceived risk of using other drugs either increased or remained level.
"Everyone needs to give our young people the clear and unambiguous message that drugs are illegal, dangerous and wrong," Secretary Shalala said. "Marijuana today poses an increasingly serious drug abuse problem, and our children need to know that. In particular, I ask all American parents to talk with their children about drugs, and especially to talk about marijuana."
Five months ago, HHS launched its "Reality Check" public information campaign aimed at helping parents discuss marijuana with their children. Free materials are available from 1-800- 729-6686. HHS also sponsored the first national conference on marijuana in July 1995, and is funding and disseminating findings from new research on the effects of the drug. In addition, the Clinton Administration has launched a major initiative to prevent smoking by minors. FDA regulations affecting retail sales to minors and the advertising of tobacco products begin to go into effect in 1997.
"Increased use among students in eighth and tenth grades is a wake-up call for America," said General McCaffrey. "Because marijuana use by youth is highly correlated with future use of addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin, we must step up our efforts to prevent drug abuse among children of all ages. All adults must accept responsibility for leading and protecting our youth. Parents, educators, community and religious leaders, and the media have the power and the authority to lead our children to make healthy life choices. We must all renew our commitment, so clearly laid out in the National Drug Control Strategy, that keeping our children drug-free is our number-one priority."
The 1996 Monitoring the Future Study found that 23.1 percent of eighth graders had tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime, compared to 19.9 percent in 1995. Among tenth graders, lifetime marijuana use increased from 34.1 percent in 1995 to 39.8 percent in 1996. Current use of marijuana among eighth graders increased from 9.1 percent in 1995 to 11.3 percent in 1996 and increased among tenth graders from 17.2 percent in 1995 to 20.4 percent in 1996.
Among high school seniors, there were no statistically significant increases or decreases in annual, current or daily use of marijuana from 1995 to 1996, although the percentage of seniors who had used marijuana at least once in their lifetime increased from 41.7 percent in 1995 to 44.9 percent in 1996. This is well below the peak level reported in 1979, when 60.4 percent had used marijuana at least once in their lifetime.
Dr. Alan I. Leshner, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the agency that funded the survey, said, "It is important that young people understand the harm and danger caused by illicit drug use. Through continuing years of objective, scientific research, this risk has become ever clearer, and not just for drugs such as cocaine and heroin but also for marijuana."
Research shows that marijuana is harmful to the brain, heart, lungs and immune system. It limits learning, memory, perception, judgment and complex motor skills like those needed to drive a vehicle. It has been shown to damage motivation and interest in one’s goals and activities. Marijuana cigarette smoke typically contains over 400 carcinogenic compounds. In addition, new evidence suggests that marijuana may be addictive and that, among heavy users, its harmful short-term effects on alertness and attention span last more than 24 hours.
Cigarette smoking continued to rise among eighth and tenth graders and remained at high levels among twelfth graders, although there were no statistically significant changes in seniors’ use. Between 1995 and 1996, use of cigarettes in the past month increased from 19.1 to 21.0 percent among eighth graders and from 27.9 to 30.4 percent among tenth graders. About one-third of twelfth graders (34.0 percent) used cigarettes in the past month.
In 1996, the percentage of tenth graders who smoked a half pack of cigarettes or more daily, increased from 8.3 percent in 1995 to 9.4 percent in 1996. Current use of cigarettes among tenth graders increased between 1995 and 1996 for both males and females.
Between 1995 and 1996, the percentage of eighth graders reporting daily use of alcohol increased from 0.7 percent to 1.0 percent. In addition, the percentage of eighth graders reporting having "been drunk" in the past month increased from 8.3 percent in 1995 to 9.6 percent in 1996. Alcohol use among tenth and twelfth graders remained level but at high rates, with 21.3 percent of tenth graders and 31.3 percent of twelfth graders reporting having been drunk in the past month.
Other survey findings include:
The 1996 Monitoring the Future Survey was conducted under a NIDA grant to the University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research. Under the direction of Dr. Lloyd Johnston, the survey was administered in the spring of 1996 to a national probability sample of 14,824 high school seniors, 15,873 tenth graders and 18,368 eighth graders in public and private schools. The study has been conducted annually since 1975, with 1996 representing the 22nd annual survey of high school seniors and the sixth year data have been collected on eighth and tenth graders.
NIDA, a component of the National Institutes of Health, supports over 85 percent of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute also carries out a large variety of programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research information and its implementation in policy and practice.