This document discusses teen drug use statistics and signs of drug abuse. It provides statistics showing that almost 50% of high school seniors have used drugs, 15% of 8th graders have used marijuana, and more teens die from prescription drug overdoses than from heroin and cocaine. Common signs of drug abuse in teens include poor grades, bloodshot eyes, and secretive behavior. The document provides resources for parents to talk to teens about drug dangers and online games about drug education.

1. By: Cassie Koch

2. 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.
Definition

3. • 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.
Statistics

4. https://www.drugabuse.gov/trends-statistics/monitoring-future/monitoring-
future-study-trends-in-prevalence-various-drugs
Chart of Different Drug Use

5.  Bad grades
 Bloodshot eyes
 Laughing for no reason
 Loss of interest in
activities
 Poor hygiene
 Diminished personal
appearance
 Avoiding eye contact
 Frequent hunger or
“munchies”
 Smell of smoke on
breath or clothes
 Secretive behavior
 Unusual tiredness
 Missing curfew
Behaviors

6. Activity
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/games

7. 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
Parents…. Did you know?

8. • 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/
Resources

9. • Abuse, National Institute on Drug. "Monitoring the Future Survey: High
School andYouth 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
Sources