Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking by US Teenagers
2009 Report Says 'Forbidden' Adolescent Behaviors Widespread
Jun 8, 2009
Drinking alcohol, smoking, and using drugs are generally discouraged or banned for US teenagers, yet many teenagers smoke, drink, and/or use drugs. The latest data report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines how prevalent these behaviors are for males and females age 12 through 17.
Age groups are defined as youngest (age 12 and 13 years); mid (14 and 15) and oldest (16 and 17).
Alcohol Use
Overall, under half (about 40%) have used alcohol at least once. About one in twenty have drunk alcohol on 40 or more days; these higher users are almost all in the oldest age group. But about 25% of students in the eighth grade or below have tried alcohol, and two thirds of those in the 11th and 12th grade have. Non-Hispanic blacks are the least likely to have tried alcohol (70% had not had a drink).
Recent use: overall, about 20% had a drink in the past 30 days. Females outnumbered males in this group (23% vs. 19%). Once again, non-Hispanic blacks were least likely to have had a drink in the past 30 days.
Recent binge drinking - five or more drinks in a row on at least one day in the past 30 days—was reported by about ten percent. Among just the oldest group, one in five reported recent binge drinking. Once again, non-Hispanic blacks were least likely to report binge drinking. Mexican American and non-Hispanic whites were about equal in this behavior.
Cigarette Smoking
One in five boys had smoked a cigarette by age 10 or younger; one in ten girls had.
Among recent smokers—those who smoked during the past 30 days—females outnumbered males (about 15% to 12%). Clearly the greatest number of recent smokers were white non-Hispanics (15%). Among just the oldest age group, almost 25% had recently smoked.
Marijuana Use
Among the oldest age group, 40% had ever tried marijuana. There was a big jump up by age group: in the mid age group, only 20%, and in the youngest only 4% had ever tried marijuana. Males generally slightly outnumbered females in all subgroups. Teenagers in higher income families were less likely to have ever tried marijuana.
Cocaine
Among the oldest group, and among those in the 11th grade and above, six percent had ever tried cocaine. Females slightly outnumbered males. There was not much difference by family income.
These data are for the United States, years 1999-2004. They are self-reported, and come from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES).
Source: National Health Statistics Reports. Number 15, May 20, 2009. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.
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