Teen drug use in 5 stats

Drug use among teenagers is dropping, according to new federal statistics published in JAMA on Wednesday. Fewer teens are abusing prescription drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.

Between the lines: Marijuana use is steady overall, but has shifted from smoking to vaping — and vaping THC products can be dangerous.

By the numbers: Among 12th graders ...

• Marijuana use has remained stagnant, while marijuana vaping nearly doubled — from 7.5% in 2018 to 14% this year.
• Adderall misuse has also declined.
• Opioid abuse is at its lowest level since 2002, with just 1.7% of 12th graders abusing OxyContin and just 1.7% misusing Vicodin.
• Binge drinking dropped from 19.4% in 2004 to 14.4% in 2019.
• Tobacco use is down overall, but e-cigarettes are rising.

Go deeper:

• Stressed out: Anxiety a bigger concern for teens than drugs
• Regulatory gaps are exacerbating the youth vaping crisis
• Teen suicide rates are rising, despite efforts at prevention