Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens Declined in 2014, Monitoring the Future Survey Finds

Abuse of most types of prescription drugs among teens declined in 2014, according to the 2014 Monitoring the Future Survey. Over 40,000 students in grades 8, 10, and 12 participate in the annual survey, which is now in its 40^th year. Results were made available by researchers at the University of Michigan and the National Institute on Drug Abuse on December 16, 2014. The number of 12^th grade students indicating that they used one or more prescription drugs without medical supervision in the previous 12 months decreased from 16% in 2013 to 14% in 2014. This statistically significant decline continues a downward trend among teens that began after 2005. In addition, the number of teens reporting abuse of cough and cold medicines declined from 4% to 3.2%. Although the study demonstrates positive trends in several areas of concern, the study’s authors warned that the problem of teen substance abuse should continue to be a concern. Additional information about the survey results is available in a press release on the Monitoring the Future website.