The AP (12/17, Stobbe) reports “teen use of alcohol, nicotine and marijuana remains at record lows, according to” the results (PDF) of the Monitoring the Future survey that were released Wednesday. Teenagers “consume a lot of energy drinks, though. And there are slight, but concerning, increases in heroin and cocaine use.” However, “the findings indicate teens are drinking, smoking and using substances at much lower rates than in the past.” About “two-thirds of 12th graders this year said they hadn’t used alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes or electronic cigarettes in the previous 30 days.” Thirty years ago, “the figure was closer to about one-third.” The new “findings also seem to echo other surveys that show continued declines in teen sexual activity, which experts say is at least partly due to teens connecting through smartphones and social media instead of in person.”
Related Links:
— “Teen drug use remains low, but survey finds small rise in heroin and cocaine use,”Mike Stobbe , AP, December 17, 2025