American teenagers continue avoiding drugs and alcohol at record rates, marking five straight years of historic lows. The National Institute of Health-funded Monitoring the Future survey tracked 23,726 students across 270 schools from February to June 2025. Results show 91% of eighth-graders, 82% of tenth-graders, and 66% of twelfth-graders avoided marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine in the month before surveying. “Many expected teen drug use levels to return to pre-pandemic levels once the social distancing policies were lifted, but this has not happened,” said Richard Miech, lead investigator from the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. The decline began during COVID-19 when teens spent more time home with caregivers. Dr. Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse called results “encouraging,” noting it’s positive “so many teens choose not to use drugs at all.” (Story URL)
Teen Substance Use Hits Historic Low For Fifth Consecutive Year
Dec 22, 2025 | 7:02 PM