| 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.
- 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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