Although recent trends in youth drug use have shown the first significant downturn in usage levels, they remain at high levels and it has been shown that the earlier drug use is initiated, the more likely a person is to develop drug problems later in life.1
Youth substance abuse can lead to many other problems, including the development of delinquent behavior, anti-social attitudes, and health-related issues. These problems not only affect the child, but can also influence the child's family, community, and ultimately society.2
Extent of Use
According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 11.2% of 12-17 year-olds reported current use of illicit drugs in 2003. Approximately 30.5% of youths reported using an illicit drug at least once during their lifetime and 21.8% reported using an illicit drug within the past year. Marijuana was the major illicit drug used for this age group, with 7.9% of youths reporting current marijuana use.3
Percent of 12–17 Year-Olds Reporting Drug Use, 2003
According to the 2003 Monitoring the Future Survey, illicit drug use by teens has declined since 2001. Past month use of any illicit drug decreased from 11.7% during 2001 to 9.7% during 2003 for 8th graders. Additionally, 10th grade reported use of any illicit drug decreased from 22.7% during 2001 to 19.5% during 2003. Twelfth graders reporting past month use of any illicit drug decreased from 25.7% during 2001 to 24.1% during 2001. These decreases were also seen in lifetime reported use. During 2001, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders reporting 26.8%, 45.6%, and 53.9% respectively for lifetime illicit drug use. During 2003, lifetime illicit drug use decreased to 22.8%, 41.4%, and 51.1% for 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, respectively.4
Percent of high school students reporting drug use, 2003
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), 40.2% of high school students surveyed nationwide used marijuana during their lifetime. This is down from 42.4% in 2001 and 47.2% in 1999.5
Percent of Students Reporting Drug Use, 1999–2003
According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, youths who participated in activities during the past year were less likely to have used drugs in the past month than youths who did not participate in activities. Among youths aged 12 to 17 who participated in two or more youth activities (for example, band, sports, student government, or dance lessons), 10.4% had used an illicit drug in the past month. Among youths indicating one or no youth activities in the past year, 17.9% reported past month illicit drug use.6
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Health Effects
Persistent substance abuse by young people often leads to academic difficulties, health-related problems (including mental health), poor peer relationships, and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Additionally, there are consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society.7
Mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents. Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems, including depression, conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide. Marijuana use, which is prevalent among youth, has been shown to interfere with short-term memory, learning, and psychomotor skills. Motivation and psychosexual/emotional development also may be influenced.8
Substance abuse among youth has also been strongly linked to delinquency. Arrest, adjudication, and intervention by the juvenile justice system are eventual consequences for many youth engaged in alcohol and other drug use. Substance abuse does not directly cause delinquent behavior, and delinquency does not directly cause alcohol and other drug use. However, the two behaviors are strongly correlated and often bring about school and family problems, involvement with negative peer groups, a lack of neighborhood social controls, and physical or sexual abuse.9
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Drug Episode: A drug-related
ED episode is an ED visit that
was induced by or related to the
use of drug(s).
Drug Mention: A drug mention
refers to a substance that was
recorded during an ED episode. Because up to 4 drugs can be reported for each drug abuse episode, there are more mentions than episodes.
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The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) study reports the number of people seeking emergency department (ED) treatment related to illegal drug use or non-medical use of legal drugs. ED episodes for persons ages 12 to 17 increased from 82,904 during 1999 to 97,029 during 2002. Of the 97,029 episodes in 2002, marijuana was mentioned 18,845 times; cocaine was mentioned 3,497 times; methamphetamine was mentioned 1,230 times; and heroin was mentioned 813 times.10
According to the 2002 DAWN Mortality data, drug abuse deaths among adolescents were rare. Descendents under the age of 25 accounted for less than 10% of DAWN cases across the 16 metropolitan areas. There were only three cases where descendents under the age of 25 accounted for more than 15% of drug abuse deaths.11
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Treatment
Treating youth for substance abuse can be complicated. The normal factors that must be considered when admitting an individual to substance abuse treatment include determining the severity of the substance use, cultural background, and presence of coexisting disorders. In addition, treatment programs dealing with youth must consider the individual's age, level of maturity, and the family and peer environment of the youth.12
During 2002, there were 159,397 admissions to treatment facilities in the U.S. involving individuals ages 17 and younger. Approximately 68.7% of the total (all ages) admissions to treatment in 2002 reported first using a drug at age 18 or younger. Among the individuals ages 15 and younger admitted to treatment during 2002, 55.4% were being treated for primary abuse of marijuana.13
Juvenile Treatment Admissions, by Primary Drug, 2002
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Arrests & Sentencing
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime in the United States, there were 137,658 juveniles (under the age of 18) arrested by State and local law enforcement agencies for drug abuse violations during 2003, representing 11.7% of the drug arrests in which the offender's age was reported.14
During FY 2002, approximately 2.3% (675) of those arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were under the age of 19. Of the DEA arrests involving those under age 19, cocaine was involed in 247 arrests, marijuana was involved in 161 arrests, methamphetamine was involved in 143 arrests, opiates were involved in 47 arrests, and the remaining 77 arrests involved some other type of drug or were for a non-drug reason.15
According to preliminary data from the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) Program, a median of 59.7% of male juvenile detainees and 45.9% of female juvenile detainees tested positive for drug use in 2002. The male samples were compiled from 5 U.S. sites and the female samples were compiled from 4 sites.16
Juvenile Detainees Testing Positive for Drugs, 2002
The number of juvenile court cases involving drug offenses more than doubled between 1990 and 1999. During 1999, juvenile courts in the U.S. handled an estimated 191,200 delinquency cases in which a drug offense was the most serious charge. Drug offense cases accounted for 11% of all delinquency cases during 1999, up from 5% in 1990. The number of juvenile drug offense cases processed in 1999 was 169% greater than in 1990.17
According to a one day census of juvenile offenders in residential placement on October 27, 1999 there were 9,882 juvenile offenders in custody for drug offenses. Almost one third of the juvenile drug offenders were in residential placement for drug trafficking.18
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Other Links
Freevibe
A Media Campaign Web site that provides drug-related information for youth.
Juveniles and Drugs
This fact sheet provides information on youth drug use, juvenile drug-related crime, and programs designed to prevent
or treat youth drug abuse.
Keeping Your Kids Drug Free: A How-To Guide for Parents and Caregivers (PDF)
The Guide is a drug prevention brochure that provides parents and caregivers with real-life tips on how to keep kids drug free.
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
The Campaign is a multi-dimensional effort designed to educate and empower youth to reject illicit drugs.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
OJJDP provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization.
What You Need to Know About Drug Testing in Schools
This guide is designed to assist educators, parents, and community leaders in determining whether student drug testing is appropriate for their schools.
Youth and Drugs Publications
A listing of youth drug abuse-related publications from various sources.
Youth Substance Abuse Data
This SAMHSA site provides data related to youth substance abuse.
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Sources
1 Office of National Drug Control Policy, National Drug Control Strategy, 2003, February 2003
2 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Drug Identification and Testing in the Juvenile Justice System, May 1998
3 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2004
4 National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan, Monitoring the Future 2003 Data from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th- Grade Students, December 2003
5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2003, May 2004
6 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, September 2004
7 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Drug Identification and Testing in the Juvenile Justice System, May 1998
8 Bureau of Justice Statistics, Drugs, Crime, and the Justice System, 1992
9 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Drug Identification and Testing in the Juvenile Justice System, May 1998
10 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Emergency Department Trends from the Drug Abuse Warning Network, Final Estimates 1995–2002, July 2003
11 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Mortality Data From the Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2002, January 2004
12 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 32, Treatment of Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders, 1999
13 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) Highlights–2002 (PDF), May 2004
14 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States, 2003, October 2004
15 Bureau of Justice Statistics, Compendium of Federal Justice Statistics, 2002, September 2004
16 National Institute of Justice, Preliminary Data on Drug Use & Related Matters Among Adult Arrestees & Juvenile Detainees, 2002 (PDF), 2003
17 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Drug Offense Cases in Juvenile Courts, 1990-1999 (PDF), September 2003
18 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Juveniles in Corrections, June 2004.
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