Substance Use and Abuse Information for Teens, 6th Ed.

Substance abuse by teens is a public-health issue, impacting the health and well-being of the teen, their families and society in general. Young people who abuse substances experience various problems, such as academic difficulties, physical and mental health-related problems, poor interpersonal relationships, and potential involvement with the juvenile criminal justice system. Adolescent substance use not only affects them personally, but there are consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society too. Most teenagers do not plan on using drugs or understand the potential consequences of addiction. They are more likely to experiment recreationally and on the spur of the moment, particularly when influenced by others such as friends. Public and health community messaging may be helping teens understand the issues associated with drug use.  According to the latest results from the Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of substance use behaviors and related attitudes among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in the United States, the percentage of adolescents reporting substance use decreased significantly in 2021, including those most commonly used substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and vaped nicotine.