What's New
Gen Z is saying no to drugs, as the percentage of students who abstained from drugs reached record levels this year, according to research from the University of Michigan.
The declines were prevalent across alcohol, marijuana and nicotine vaping, which are the three more common substances used by adolescents.
Why It Matters
This study is the latest in a series that has shown Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012) having little to no interest in drugs or alcohol.
In July, a study found that 64 percent of legal-drinking-age Gen Zers in the United States said they had not consumed alcohol in the six months leading up to May, according to the International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), a global drinks data and analytics provider. This data reflects a generational shift in attitude toward alcohol.
What We Know
The study defines abstention as no use of alcohol, marijuana, nicotine cigarettes, or e-cigarettes within the past 30 days.
In 2024, abstention rates reached 67 percent for 12th graders, a notable increase from 53 percent in 2017, when this measure was first recorded. Among 10th graders, the abstention rate was 80 percent, up from 69 percent in 2017, and for eighth graders, it reached 90 percent, compared to 87 percent in 2017.
The study found that there were declines across substances.
Alcohol Use
The percentage of 12th graders reporting alcohol use in the past 12 months dropped to 42 percent in 2024, compared to 75 percent in 1997. For 10th graders, the percentage fell to 26 percent from 65 percent in 1997. Eighth graders saw the most dramatic long-term decline, with only 13 percent reporting alcohol use in 2024, compared to 46 percent in 1997.
Marijuana Use
Marijuana use saw a sharp decrease in the years following the pandemic onset, with 12-month usage levels in 2024 reaching the lowest point in three decades. Among 12th graders, marijuana use was reported at 26 percent, down significantly from prior years. Tenth graders reported a 16 percent usage rate, while eighth graders remained steady at 7 percent, following a drop from 11 percent in 2020.
In addition, usage of Delta-8-THC, measured for the first time, was reported by 2.9 percent of eighth graders, 7.9 percent of 10th graders, and 12.3 percent of 12th graders.
Nicotine Vaping
Once on the rise, nicotine vaping has seen consistent declines since 2020.
In 2024, 21 percent of 12th graders reported vaping nicotine in the past 12 months, down from 35 percent in 2020 and near the 2017 rate of 19 percent. Tenth graders showed a similar trend, with a 15 percent usage rate in 2024, compared to 31 percent in 2020.
Narcotics Use
Use of narcotics other than heroin (including Vicodin, OxyContin, and Percocet) among 12th graders decreased to an all-time low of 0.6 percent in 2024, down from a peak of 9.5 percent in 2004.
What People Are Saying
Richard Miech, the lead researcher on the study, in a press release: "I expected adolescent drug use would rebound at least partially after the large declines that took place during the pandemic onset in 2020, which were among the largest ever recorded."
Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of NIH's National Institute on Drug Abuse, in a press release: "This trend in the reduction of substance use among teenagers is unprecedented."
Dr. Ritu Bhatnagar, associate clinical professor of psychiatry and addiction psychiatrist, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health:
"I'm very excited to see that the abstention rate from drugs is increasing, and I don't want to lose track of the importance of what that means for the physical health of teens.
"According to the MTF study, the downward trend of adolescent substance use was more evident during the pandemic. This time coincided with the rise in use of smart phones, video schooling and when there was more use of social media.
"As an addiction psychiatrist, I am keenly aware that people can become dependent on not only substances but also technology. Technology use really increased during the pandemic, especially among adolescents."
"We have talked informally with counselors in the public school system who shared that they are seeing fewer students using nicotine or other substances; however, the students are rarely without their devices (unless there is a school policy to remove phones from the classroom).
"We don't know the long-term impact yet of this kind of connection to devices - what data we do have is troubling when it comes to mental health for young people who are generally passive consumers of media."
What's Next
The results highlight a generational shift, with teens who experienced the pandemic reporting the lowest substance use rates in decades.
Though the reasons for these sustained declines remain under investigation, the implications for adolescent health and societal well-being are significant. "These findings highlight a unique opportunity to further promote prevention efforts that can solidify these positive trends," Miech said.
But warnings are also being issued about other newer forms of addictions, including to technology and social media, with their impact on young people's mental health and wellbeing requiring closer study and attention.
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