A recent study published by the National Institutes of Health, which used the Monitoring the Future Survey that was taken by 23,726 students between February and June of 2025 across 270 different public and private schools nationally, showed that drug trends for teens in 8th,10th and 12th grade are continuing to stay low.
High Rates of Abstinence:
One of the most notable findings from the 2025 survey is that most teens are abstaining from substance use, including alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine products.
In fact…
- 91% of 8th graders,
- 82% of 10th graders, and
- 66% of 12th graders
reported NOT using marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine in the past 30 days.
Stable or Low Use Across Substances:
The survey data shows that use of key substances has either remained stable or stayed at low levels compared to past years:
- Alcohol use remains consistent with historic lows, particularly among younger teens.
- Cannabis use, including both traditional cannabis and newer hemp-derived products, remains relatively low, though older teens do report higher use compared to younger grades.
- Nicotine vaping and pouch use are also stable, with a minority of teens reporting use in the past year.
These patterns indicate a continued shift away from early substance experimentation, continuing a trend observed over the past several years.
Emerging Signals Worth Watching:
While the overall picture is positive, experts note small upticks in use of certain substances, like heroin and cocaine, among some age groups. There was a slight increase in reported cocaine use across multiple grade levels. Among 8th graders, prevalence rose to 0.6% in 2025, up from 0.2% in 2024. Similarly, reported use among 12th graders increased to 1.4%, compared with 0.9% the previous year. Heroin use also showed a small uptick. Among 8th graders, reported use increased from 0.2% in 2024 to 0.5% in 2025. In 10th graders, prevalence rose from 0.1% in 2024 to 0.5% in 2025, while among 12th graders, use increased from 0.2% to 0.9% over the same period. Although these increases are still at very low percentages compared to historical data, they highlight areas where prevention and education efforts remain important.
What This Means for Teens and Communities:
The sustained low levels of teen substance use point to effective prevention efforts, evolving cultural norms, and potentially changing social behaviors among young people. Factors such as increased awareness of health risks, shifts in how teens socialize (both online and offline), and ongoing education campaigns may all play a role in this ongoing trend. However, the need to remain vigilant, especially regarding emerging products and changing drug landscapes, is critical to ensure that these positive trends continue in the years ahead.
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References
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025, December 17). Reported use of most
drugs remains low among U.S. teens. National Institutes of Health.
