Teens vape marijuana while prescription opioids and alcohol consumption hits lows

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