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Offending by Juveniles
Self-report Behaviors
Q: Does past month drug use vary by grade level?
A: With few exceptions, the proportion of students reporting past month use increased with grade.

Self-reported drug use by school grade, 2020

Substance 8th grade 10th grade 12th grade
Alcohol 9.9% 20.3% 33.6%
Marijuana/hashish 6.5% 16.6% 21.1%
Vaping marijuana 4.2% 11.3% 12.2%
Cigarettes 2.2% 3.2% 7.5%
Vaping nicotine 10.5% 19.3% 24.7%
Any illicit drug use* 3.5% 3.7% 4.8%
Amphetamines 2.2% 1.9% 1.7%
  Methamphetamine 0.1% 0.2% 0.8%
Tranquilizers** 1.1% 0.7% 1.0%
Cocaine 0.1% 0.4% 0.8%
  Crack cocaine 0.1% 0.3% 0.4%
Inhalants 2.9% 1.2% 0.7%
Hallucinogens 0.9% 1.4% 1.8%
  LSD 0.6% 1.0% 1.4%
Heroin 0.2% 0.1% 0.3%

Notes: * Other than marijuana.
** Examples of tranquilizers include Valium and Xanax.

[ CSV file ]

  • With the exception of amphetamines and inhalants, self-report usage rates were higher for seniors than 8th graders.
  • Across grade levels, the most commonly reported substances were alcohol, marijuana, and vaping nicotine.

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/offenders/qa03514.asp?qaDate=2020. Released on August 30, 2021.

Data Source: Adapted from Johnston, L. D., Miech, R. A., O'Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., Schulenberg, J. E., & Patrick, M. E. (2021). Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-2020: Overview, key findings on adolescent drug use. Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan.

 

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