By: Cassie Koch

Definition
Compulsive, excessive, and self-damaging use of
habit forming drugs or substances, leading to
addiction or dependence, serious physiological
injury (such as damage to kidneys, liver, heart)
and/or psychological harm (such as dysfunctional
behavior patterns, hallucinations, memory loss), or
death.
Statistics
Almost 50% of high school seniors have abused a drug of some kind.

By 8th grade 15% of kids have used marijuana.

43% of high school seniors have used marijuana.

8.6% of 12th graders have used hallucinogens 4% report on using LSD specifically.

Over 60% of teens report that drugs of some kind are kept, sold, and used at their school.

1 in every 9 high school seniors has tried synthetic marijuana (also known as Spice or
K2).

1.3% of high school seniors have tired bath salts.

64% of teens say they have used prescription pain killers that they got from a friend or
family member.

28% of teens know at least 1 person who has tried ecstasy.

7.6% of teens use the prescription drug Aderall.

Over 5% of 12th graders have used cocaine and over 2% have used crack.

More teenagers die from taking prescription drugs than the use of cocaine AND heroin
combined.
Chart of Different Drug Use
https://www.drugabuse.gov/trends-statistics/monitoring-future/monitoring-
future-study-trends-in-prevalence-various-drugs
Behaviors
Bad grades Avoiding eye contact
Bloodshot eyes Frequent hunger or
munchies
Laughing for no reason
Smell of smoke on
Loss of interest in
breath or clothes
activities
Secretive behavior
Poor hygiene
Unusual tiredness
Diminished personal
appearance Missing curfew
Activity
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/games
Parents. Did you know?

When a parent talks to their teenager regularly about the

dangers of drugs and alcohol they lessen the chance of
their child using drugs by 42%! However, only 25% of
teens report on actually having these conversations.

Tips For Talking To Teens

Resources
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/monit
oring-future-survey-high-school-youth-trends
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-
statistics
http://www.teendrugrehabs.com/facts-and-stats/
Your Online Resource for Teen Substance
Abuse, Rehab Programs and Treatment Help
https://www.addictioncenter.com/teenage-drug-abuse/
Sources
Abuse, National Institute on Drug. "Monitoring the Future Survey: High
School and Youth Trends." NIDA. N.p., Dec. 2016. Web. 03 June 2017.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/monitoring-
future-survey-high-school-youth-trends
"Teen Drug Abuse Facts | Teenage Alcohol Statistics." Teen Drug Rehabs.
N.p., 2015. Web. 03 June 2017.
http://www.teendrugrehabs.com/facts-and-stats/
"Teen Drug Abuse." Addiction Center. N.p., 18 Dec. 2015. Web. 03 June
2017.
https://www.addictioncenter.com/teenage-drug-abuse/
Free Lesson Plans About Drugs