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Statistics That Speak
Uncover insights and trends through the power of data.
Marijuana statistics
Marijuana use among U.S. youth has increased in recent years, although the term “extreme” may depend on context. According to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey, which tracks drug use among teens:
• 30.7% of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past year.
• For 10th graders, the figure was 17.3%, and for 8th graders, 7.5%.
• Daily marijuana use was reported by 6.3% of 12th graders.
The growing trend in marijuana use is partly attributed to the increasing legalization of recreational marijuana across many states, which has led to the perception that marijuana is less harmful. However, marijuana can have significant effects on the developing brain, leading to concerns among health professionals. Although use has risen, marijuana isn’t the most common substance among teens—alcohol and nicotine (via vaping) remain more prevalent. Efforts are being made to educate young people about the risks associated with marijuana use, especially related to mental health, cognitive development, and addiction potential .
VAPING STATISTICS
14.1% of high school students (around 2.14 million) reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
• Among middle school students, about 3.3% (roughly 380,000) reported current e-cigarette use.
Other key findings include:
• Daily use: Around 46% of current high school users reported vaping on 20 or more days in the past month, indicating a high frequency of use.
• Flavored e-cigarettes: A significant number of teens reported using flavored products, with fruit, candy, and mint being popular flavors.
The data shows that vaping remains prevalent among teenagers, raising concerns about nicotine addiction and long-term health impacts. Government agencies and public health campaigns have been working to curb this trend, especially given the increase in usage among younger populations in recent years. recent data, more than 60 deaths in the U.S. have been linked to vaping-related illnesses, specifically due to EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities have identified Vitamin E acetate, found in some THC-containing vaping products, as a primary cause of these injuries. While the number of confirmed deaths is relatively small, the broader concern centers around thousands of serious lung injuries and hospitalizations tied to vaping.
Fetenayl Statistics
Yes, fentanyl use among youth in the U.S. is a growing and deeply concerning issue. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, has been a major contributor to the rise in drug overdoses across the country, including among teens and young adults.
Some key trends regarding youth and fentanyl use include:
• Fentanyl-laced drugs: Many teens are unintentionally exposed to fentanyl because it’s often mixed with other substances like counterfeit prescription pills (e.g., Xanax, Oxycodone) and recreational drugs like cocaine or MDMA. Most youths who overdose on fentanyl do so without knowing they’re consuming it.
• Overdose statistics: In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths among teens. For example, between 2019 and 2021, overdose deaths among adolescents aged 14 to 18 increased by over 94%, with the majority linked to fentanyl.
• Social media influence: Teens have been obtaining counterfeit pills and drugs, often laced with fentanyl, through social media platforms. These pills are made to look like legitimate medications but contain lethal doses of fentanyl.
• Lack of awareness: Many teens don’t realize how deadly fentanyl is, leading to accidental overdoses. Even small amounts of fentanyl can be fatal, especially in young users. In 2024, fentanyl continues to be a major driver of overdose deaths among U.S. youth, especially teens. While specific death totals for the year are still emerging, data from previous years provide a grim picture. In 2022, approximately 22 adolescents aged 14 to 18 died each week due to overdoses, primarily driven by fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills. This puts overdose deaths as the third leading cause of death among U.S. teens, after firearms and car accidents .
The DEA’s 2024 Drug Threat Assessment warns that fentanyl remains one of the most dangerous drugs affecting youth, as it is often found mixed into counterfeit pills that look like prescription medications. This has led to an alarming rise in accidental overdoses . The situation highlights the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures, particularly among teens experimenting with what they believe to be less harmful substances like prescription pills.
ALCOHOL Statistics
Alcohol use among U.S. youth remains a significant issue, though rates have been declining over the past decade.
According to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey:
• 52% of 12th graders reported having used alcohol at some point in their lives.
• About 28.5% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol in the past month.
• 14.2% of 12th graders admitted to binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks in a row) within the past two weeks. Among younger age groups:
• 13.3% of 10th graders reported drinking in the past month, and 4.2% reported binge drinking. While the overall trend has shown a decline in alcohol use among teens compared to previous decades, alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among youth in the U.S.