The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report detailing some promising trends in high school students’ use of illicit substances. According to the report, there has been a decline in the overall use of alcohol, marijuana, and select illicit drugs among high school students since 2013. Additionally, there has been a decrease in the misuse of prescription opioids between 2017 and 2019.
The findings are based on the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which collects data every two years from a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students. The most recent survey in 2023 had over 20,000 respondents and was conducted in the spring.
Despite these positive trends, the report also highlights that many students continue to use substances, and there are concerns about the lack of progress in some areas. Schools face ongoing challenges in curbing substance abuse among students, which can impact learning, memory, attention, and mental health.
One concerning trend highlighted in the report is the increased use of more dangerous substances by adolescents. Darrell Sampson, the executive director of student services for Arlington public schools in Virginia, noted that while the number of students using substances may not have increased significantly, the lethality of the substances being used has raised alarms.
Research has shown a rise in overdose deaths among teens, linked to the increase in illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. School districts have taken legal action against companies that manufactured and marketed addictive opioids, leading to tens of thousands of deaths and addiction struggles.
In response to these challenges, schools continue to provide prevention and education programs for students and families. Sampson noted that there is a “glimmer of hope” that these measures are working based on the declines in substance use indicated in the CDC data.
Experts recommend starting education about substance abuse as early as possible, with programs implemented as early as elementary school. In Arlington, students in grades 6 through 10 learn about substance abuse challenges as part of the health curriculum, with plans to expand the program to even younger grades. The district also provides substance abuse counselors to meet with students and explore the reasons behind their substance use.
Incorporating student voice in prevention and intervention programs is crucial, as teens are more likely to seek help or support from friends or peers when experiencing distress from substance use. A survey conducted by the Bipartisan Policy Center found that teens are twice as likely to turn to their peers for support compared to behavioral health providers or family members. By engaging students in the conversation and providing them with resources and support, schools can help address substance abuse issues among adolescents.
