'Big data' on American Youth

Last week the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the results of the annual Monitoring the Future Survey. Monitoring the Future is a continuing study of American youth, particularly secondary school students. The survey has been studying the behaviours, attitudes, practices, and values of young adults since 1975. When the survey first began it only involved 12th graders, but in 1991 8th and 10th graders were added to the pool of participants. Every year around 45,000 students from these three grade levels are surveyed with a questionnaire about their lives and choices. The study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is part of the National Institutes of Health.

This year’s results show a significant decrease in illicit drug use across all ages, except for marijuana use. Marijuana use continues to be stable especially among older teens. The use of legal substances such as cigarettes and alcohol has also declined substantially. Regular smoking has fallen dramatically compared to figures from two decades ago (4.8% today vs. 22.2% in 1996). The daily use of e-cigarettes of 12th graders (12.4%) has overtaken daily cigarette use (4.8%). Around 55% of 12th graders reported having used alcohol in the past year, compared to about 75% in 1997.

"It is encouraging to see more young people making healthy choices not to use illicit substances," said National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli. "We must continue to do all we can to support young people through evidence-based prevention efforts as well as treatment for those who may develop substance use disorders."