| The availability of drugs at schools has increased over | | | | see.Cigarettes are the next most common drugs |
| the last ten years although the overall use of illicit drugs | | | | abused by teenagers. Most teens assume they can |
| has declined. Yet too many teenagers are still abusing | | | | quit smoking at will. Instead they often find themselves |
| drugs. In the National Institute on Drug Abuse 2005 | | | | addicted. Few people start smoking after the teenage |
| Monitoring the Future survey researchers found that | | | | years.Marijuana has been used by 44% of seniors. |
| 50% of high school seniors report some use of an illicit | | | | The NIDA reports that 60% of teens that do use |
| drug during their life.Drugs are easily obtained and | | | | drugs use marijuana. The most recent survey found |
| teenagers know who they can contact to get them. | | | | that fewer eighth graders today see a risk in smoking |
| The Bureau of Justice reports that 85% of teens say | | | | marijuana than in the past.Inhalants are the most |
| they know where to get marijuana and 55% know | | | | commonly abused illegal drug among those in middle |
| how to get amphetamines. Knowledge of drug | | | | school with 17.1% of eight graders having tried them. |
| availability is similar regardless of race or location. | | | | Inhalants are cheap and easily purchased. Most of |
| Students living in rural, suburban, and urban areas all | | | | them are common household substances like paint |
| reported similar levels of drug availability at about 35% | | | | thinners, glues, spray paint, whipped cream dispensers, |
| overall. Even more frightening is that 29% of students | | | | hair sprays and other substances.Prescription Drug use |
| say that someone has "offered, sold, or given them an | | | | among teenagers has been rising at a rate of 25% |
| illegal drug on school property."Some officials believe | | | | per year since 2001. Most teens take prescription |
| that the percentages of actual drug abuse are low | | | | drugs because of personal or family-related |
| because of the number of teenagers that have | | | | stress.Many teenagers are getting the message |
| dropped out or are truant are not represented in the | | | | through school, parents, and the media that drugs are |
| survey. These teenagers often have a higher | | | | harmful. But many are still not receiving or are choosing |
| involvement with drugs than those still in school.Alcohol | | | | to ignore the message. The best way to combat |
| is the most common substance used, with 75% of | | | | teenage drug abuse is by education that means |
| seniors having at least tried alcohol and 23% within the | | | | consistently talking about drugs both formally and |
| last month. Alcohol use is often glamorized in the | | | | informally. |
| media and teens try to imitate the behaviors they | | | | |