Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
The landscape of substance use among high school students in the United States has shifted dramatically over the decades. From alcohol and cigarettes to marijuana and prescription medications, the trends have evolved in response to cultural, social, and legislative changes.
The 1970s marked a period of high substance use among adolescents. Data from 1975 indicated that nearly 50% of high school seniors reported alcohol use in the past month, while binge drinking rates were alarmingly high, with nearly 30% of seniors admitting to consuming five or more drinks in a row within the past two weeks. Additionally, cigarette smoking reached its peak during this time, with 28.8% of high school seniors smoking daily.
The 1980s continued this trend, particularly with cocaine and alcohol. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that about half of male high school seniors and 30% of females engaged in binge drinking by 1982. Cocaine usage peaked during this decade as well.
In the 1990s, however, a significant decline in substance use began. The prevalence of current drinking among high school students fell from 50.8% in 1991 to 44.7% in 2007. Similarly, cigarette smoking saw a substantial decrease, dropping from 28% in 1991 to 11% by 2015. This decline can be attributed to a combination of factors, including public health campaigns, increased awareness of the risks associated with drug use, and cultural changes.
The early 2000s witnessed the rise of marijuana as the most frequently used illicit drug among adolescents. While alcohol and tobacco use continued to decline, marijuana use reached its highest levels, especially among high school seniors.
By the late 2000s, about half of seniors reported using marijuana in the past year. The changing legal landscape around marijuana, with increasing numbers of states legalizing its medical and recreational use, contributed to its growing acceptance among young people.The advent of electronic cigarettes introduced a new challenge for substance use among adolescents. Although traditional cigarette smoking rates fell significantly, e-cigarette use surged. From 2011 to 2019, e-cigarette use among North Carolina high school students skyrocketed by nearly 90%. However, recent data indicate a decline, with e-cigarette use dropping from 14.1% in 2022 to 10.0% in 2023, likely influenced by legal actions against vape companies for targeting minors.
Amidst the opioid epidemic, high school students also faced increased exposure to prescription drug misuse. In 2013, 15% of seniors reported using prescription medications non-medically in the past year. The prevalence of misusing stimulants, such as Adderall, has remained concerning, with 7.4% of seniors admitting to non-medical use. Fortunately, the abuse of opioid pain relievers like Vicodin has decreased significantly, falling from 10.5% in 2003 to 5.3% in 2023.
The impact of social media on adolescent substance use is significant and cannot be ignored. Platforms like TikTok have popularized trends such as inhaling nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “whippets.” The ease of access to these substances, coupled with a perception of safety and the viral nature of such trends, makes them particularly attractive to young people.
Nitrous oxide is both legal and readily available. It can be found in small pressurized canisters designed for culinary use, larger tanks for medical or automotive purposes, and even in whipped cream dispensers when the cream is depleted. Recently, Galaxy Gas, a brand that markets nitrous oxide for cooking, has gained popularity on social media, with videos showing young adults inhaling the gas for its effects, which can include lightheadedness, dizziness, and weakness.
As of 2023, current data reveals an optimistic trend: the rate of fatal overdoses of all drugs has decreased nationally, with a notable 10% decline over the past year. In North Carolina, this figure is even more encouraging at 23%. While opioid-related deaths continue to pose a significant risk, particularly with the prevalence of fentanyl, community efforts—including the distribution of naloxone (Narcan) and expanding access to treatment programs—are making strides in addressing this crisis.
The CDC reports a decline in underage alcohol consumption in today’s youth, with 22.7% of high school students acknowledging current use. This represents a continuation of a long-term trend towards lower drinking, cigarette, and cocaine usage rates among youth.
The recent declines in substance use among youth provide a glimmer of hope, signaling that concerted efforts can lead to positive change in the ongoing battle against adolescent substance misuse.
