Back to School: Underage Drug & Alcohol trends and how to address them
As fall approaches, school is getting back in swing. TEAM invites parents and school faculty to learn more about the United States' current underage Drug & Alcohol trends and what can be done to address underage substance use.
The Stats
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, releases yearly reports based on survey data where respondents ages 12 and older are invited to self-describe their use of illicit drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and nicotine vaping. Underage substance use is also highlighted in these reports.
Alcohol Use
In 2023, 12.6% of respondents aged 12 to 20 reported using alcohol within the past month, or about 5.6 individuals. 8.6% reported underage binge drinking within the past month, which constitutes 4 or more drinks in a single session for females, or 5 or more drinks in a single session for males. 1.7%, or about 663,000 individuals, reported heavy alcohol use within the past month, which constitutes binge drinking 5 or more times within 30 days. Overall underage alcohol use decreased by 3.31% between 2022 and 2023, showing that it holds steady for the most part.
Marijuana Use
Underage marijuana use also remained steady in 2023. 18.4% of applicants aged 12 to 20, or about 7 million individuals, reported using marijuana in the past year. This marked a 4.1% decrease from 2022 to 2023.
Illicit Drug Use and Overdose Death
While underage substance use has been slightly decreasing, overdose deaths via underage illicit drug use have been on the rise. In a separate survey conducted by the JAMA Network, drug overdose deaths of individuals aged 14-18 increased a dramatic 293% from 2019 to 2021, with 1,146 deaths being calculated in 2021. This trend shows that although underage substance use is not drastically growing, more dangerous substances like fentanyl and benzodiazepines are becoming more widespread, resulting in more overdose deaths.
How to Address Underage Substance Use
Know the Signs
Being aware of what a Substance Use Disorder, or SUD, looks like can be a vital tool in addressing underage substance use. Knowing the signs and how to address them can help parents and faculty intervene when needed. Read our article on Three Signs of a SUD to learn how to address these issues.
Random Testing
TEAM also recommends that high schools introduce a random drug testing program for their student body if feasible. In other settings, regular drug testing has proven to reduce overall drug positivity rates; Per the 2024 Quest Drug Testing Index, while the general U.S. workforce showed a 5.7% drug positivity rate, the federally mandated, safety-sensitive workforce showed just a 2.4% positivity rate. This lower rate is largely attributed to the fact that most safety-sensitive workplaces conduct annual random drug testing on anywhere from 25% to 50% of their workforce. The expectation that one could be pulled for a random test at any time is a powerful deterrent from drug use.
Key Takeaways
While underage substance use is overall on the decline, adults and faculty need to stay aware of the existing risks, especially concerning overdose deaths.
