92 Teenage Drug Abuse Statistics, Facts & Prevalence

Top 10 Teenage Drug Abuse Statistics

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug among teenagers, with 43% of high school seniors reporting use in the past year.
9.4% of high school seniors admit to using prescription drugs without a prescription in the past year.
20% of high school seniors report using an illicit drug other than marijuana in the past year.
Alcohol use is prevalent among teenagers, with 58% of high school seniors reporting use in the past year.
33% of high school seniors report binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks in a row) in the past two weeks.
15% of high school seniors report driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year.
10% of high school seniors report driving under the influence of marijuana in the past year.
5% of high school seniors report using synthetic drugs (such as K2 or Spice) in the past year.
7% of high school seniors report misusing over-the-counter cough and cold medications in the past year.
1.3 million teenagers aged 12-17 need treatment for a substance abuse problem, but only 10% receive it.

How Many Teenagers Are Involved in Drug Abuse by Country?

The United States has the highest number of teenagers involved in drug abuse, with an estimated 4.5 million adolescents aged 12-17 using drugs in the past year.
Canada has the second-highest number of teenagers involved in drug abuse, with an estimated 400,000 adolescents using drugs in the past year.
The United Kingdom has an estimated 360,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.
Australia has an estimated 270,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.
Mexico has an estimated 200,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.
Brazil has an estimated 130,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.
Germany has an estimated 120,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.
France has an estimated 110,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.
Italy has an estimated 100,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.
Spain has an estimated 90,000 teenagers involved in drug abuse.

Teenage Drug Abuse Prevalence

20% of high school seniors report using an illicit drug other than marijuana in the past year.
58% of high school seniors report alcohol use in the past year, which can lead to addiction and long-term health problems.
Approximately 12% of teenagers aged 12-17 have used inhalants at least once in their lifetime, with 4.4% reporting use in the past year.
Non-medical use of prescription drugs is a significant problem among teenagers, with approximately 1 in 10 high school seniors admitting to prescription drug misuse.
According to a national survey, approximately 7.8 million young people aged 12-20 reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Of those, around 5.3 million were binge drinkers and around 1.3 million were heavy drinkers.
Illicit drug use among adolescents aged 12-17 has remained relatively stable over the years, with around 3% of teens reporting current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana) and around 6% reporting past-month marijuana use.

Most Common Causes of why Teenagers are involved in Drug Abuse

Curiosity: 52% of teenagers try drugs out of curiosity to see what it feels like.
Peer Pressure: 30% of teenagers start using drugs due to peer pressure from friends or classmates.
Stress and Anxiety: 26% of teenagers report that they use drugs as a way to cope with stress and anxiety caused by school, family issues, or social pressures.
Boredom: 22% of teenagers use drugs because they are bored and have nothing else to do.
Easy Access: 19% of teenagers start using drugs because they are readily available in their home or community.
Genetics: Research shows that genetics play a role in addiction. If a teenager has a family history of substance abuse, they are more likely to develop an addiction themselves.

Teenage Drug Abuse Prevalence by State

In California, 6.4% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 2.5% reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In Texas, 4.7% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 3.1% reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In Florida, 6.8% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 3.1% reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In New York, 4.6% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 2.9% reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In Pennsylvania, 4.1% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 2.3% reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In Ohio, 5.0% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 2.5% reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In Illinois, 5.0% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 2.5% reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In Michigan, 5.1% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported past-month marijuana use, and 2.7 %reported current illicit drug use (excluding marijuana).
In North Carolina, 4.0 %of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old used an illegal drug in the month prior to being surveyed.
In Indiana: The percentage of high school students who have used any type of illegal drugs is higher than the national average: in fact around one-third have tried some kind of illegal drugs at least once in their life.

National Map: Illicit Drug Use Disorder Among 12- to 17-year-olds, youth who met criteria for IDUD over a 12-month period on NCDAS

The Impact of Drug Abuse on Teenagers Facts

Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to experience health problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Drug use can lead to poor academic performance, with 75% of high school students who use drugs dropping out of school.
Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, which can lead to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Drug use can lead to addiction, with 90% of adults with substance abuse issues starting drug use before the age of 18.
Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to engage in criminal behavior and have legal problems.
Substance abuse can lead to financial problems, with drug users spending an average of $150 per week on drugs.
Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to have strained family relationships and social isolation.
Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to experience trauma, with 85% of teenagers in substance abuse treatment reporting a history of trauma.
Drug use can lead to health problems later in life, such as liver disease and cancer.
Substance abuse can lead to overdose and death, with drug overdose being the leading cause of accidental death in the US.

Drug Use Among Specific Populations

LGBTQ+ teenagers are 90% more likely to use drugs than their heterosexual peers.
Teenagers with ADHD are 50% more likely to use drugs than their peers without ADHD.
Teenagers in foster care are 300% more likely to use drugs than their peers who are not in foster care.
Teenagers who have experienced trauma, such as abuse or neglect, are 200% more likely to use drugs than their peers who have not.
Teenagers who have a family history of substance abuse are 400% more likely to use drugs than their peers without a family history.
Teenagers who live in poverty are 150% more likely to use drugs than their peers who do not.
Teenagers who live in rural areas are 120% more likely to use drugs than their peers who live in urban areas.
Teenagers who are homeless or runaways are 200% more likely to use drugs than their peers who are not.
Teenagers who are involved in the juvenile justice system are 250% more likely to use drugs than their peers who are not.
Teenagers who have dropped out of school are 300% more likely to use drugs than their peers who have not.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Teenage Drug Abuse Rate

United States - With an estimated 4.5 million adolescents aged 12-17 using drugs in the past year, the US has the highest number of teenagers involved in drug abuse.
Canada - Approximately 400,000 Canadian adolescents used drugs in the past year, making it the second-highest country for teenage drug abuse prevalence.
United Kingdom - An estimated 360,000 teenagers are involved in drug abuse in the UK.
Australia - Around 270,000 Australian teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Mexico - An estimated 200,000 Mexican teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Brazil - Approximately 130,000 Brazilian teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Germany - Around 120,000 German teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
France - An estimated 110,000 French teenagers are involved in drug abuse.
Italy - Approximately 100,000 Italian teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Spain - Last but not least is Spain with an estimated 90,000 teenagers being involved with drugs.

Bar Graph: Illegal Drug Usership Among College Students on NCDAS

Top 10 Countries with the Lowest Teenage Drug Abuse Rate

Japan - Only 1.5% of Japanese teenagers report using drugs, making it the country with the lowest teenage drug abuse percentage.
South Korea - Approximately 2% of South Korean teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Singapore - Around 2.5% of Singaporean teenagers reported using drugs in the past year.
Greece - An estimated 3% of Greek teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Iceland - Approximately 3.5% of Icelandic teenagers used drugs in the past year.
Cyprus - Only around 4% of Cypriot teenagers report using drugs.
Malta - Approximately 4.5% of Maltese teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Portugal - Around 5% of Portuguese teenagers used drugs in the past year.
Italy - Last but not least is Italy, where only around 6% of Italian teenagers were involved in drug abuse last year.
Spain - Approximately 6.5% of Spanish teenagers report using drugs, making it one of the countries with the lowest teenage drug abuse percentages.

International Statistics of Teenage Drug Abuse

In Europe, cannabis is the most commonly used drug among teenagers, with 16% of 15-16-year-olds reporting use in the past year.
In Australia, alcohol is the most commonly used drug among teenagers, with 80% of 14-19-year-olds reporting use in the past year.
In Asia, methamphetamine is the most commonly used drug among teenagers, with 5.7% of high school students in East and Southeast Asia reporting use in the past year.
In Africa, khat is the most commonly used drug among teenagers, with 20% of 15-19-year-olds in Ethiopia reporting use in the past year.
In South America, cocaine is the most commonly used drug among teenagers, with 2.5% of 13-15-year-olds in Brazil reporting use in the past year.

Technology and Drug Use

Studies show that teenagers who spend more than 5 hours a day on social media are 70% more likely to use drugs.
Approximately 30% of teenagers who use drugs report purchasing them online through dark web marketplaces.
Online drug education programs have been found to reduce drug use among teenagers by up to 50%.
Mobile interventions and support have been shown to increase the chances of recovery for teenagers with substance abuse problems by 75%.
Technology-based monitoring and early intervention programs have been successful in reducing drug use among teenagers by up to 60%.

FAQs

What is considered drug abuse among teenagers?

Drug abuse among teenagers refers to the use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs that are not prescribed to them, or the misuse of over-the-counter medications.

Are all teenagers at risk for drug abuse?

No, not all teenagers are at equal risk for drug abuse. Some factors that increase a teenager's risk include genetics, family history of substance abuse, trauma or stress, and peer pressure.

How can parents prevent their children from using drugs?

Parents can take several steps to prevent their children from using drugs. These include talking openly with their children about the risks and consequences of drug use, monitoring their children's activities and social interactions, setting clear rules and expectations around drug use, and seeking help if they suspect their child may be using drugs.

Can teenage drug abuse lead to addiction?

Yes, teenage drug abuse can lead to addiction. In fact, research shows that 9 out of 10 adults with substance abuse issues started using drugs before the age of 18.

What are some signs that a teenager may be using drugs?

Some signs that a teenager may be using drugs include changes in behavior or mood (such as increased aggression or withdrawal), poor academic performance, changes in social circles or activities, and physical symptoms such as bloodshot eyes or slurred speech.

How can schools address teenage drug abuse?

Schools can play an important role in addressing teenage drug abuse by implementing comprehensive prevention programs that educate students on the risks and consequences of drug use, provide support services for students who may be struggling with substance abuse issues, and collaborate with parents and community organizations to promote a safe and healthy environment for students.

Conclusion

Teenage drug abuse is a significant problem that has far-reaching consequences. Prevention and intervention strategies can be effective in reducing drug use among teenagers and improving their health, social, and economic outcomes.

The statistics presented in this article highlight the need for continued efforts to address teenage drug abuse and support teenagers who are struggling with substance abuse problems.