Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens Declined in 2014

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

(PDF) on the Monitoring the Future website.