Summary

Teen drug, alcohol, and tobacco use in the U.S. continues to decline, with record-low usage levels reported in 2023, according to the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey.

Among 12th graders, 66% reported no recent use of alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, while 80% of 10th graders and 90% of 8th graders avoided these substances entirely.

Experts attribute the decline partly to reduced peer pressure during the pandemic.

However, nicotine pouch use has doubled among 12th graders, raising concerns.

Despite pop culture’s glamorization of smoking, teen cigarette use remains low.

  • @x00z
    link
    English
    43 days ago

    I’ve done a lot of different drugs, and I’d rank the addictiveness of social media between flakka and crack. (I have not done heroine or fenta)

    So yeah, good job USA. /s

    • @solstice
      link
      English
      23 days ago

      I just saw a documentary of some sort talking about how movies and tv shows these days are specifically designed to be watchable with minimal viewer engagement because everyone is on their phone and the tv is a second screen. At least, I think that’s what they were saying, I was barely paying attention because I was on my phone doom scrolling. I’ve done every drug in the book plus a bunch that I’d be seriously impressed if you had ever heard of them, and none of them touch the addictiveness of my stupid phone.

      • @x00z
        link
        English
        12 days ago

        Yeah it’s pretty crazy how addictive it is.

        Sad thing is not many people listen to drug users. Even though drug users are… the ones that have actual experience in addictiveness.