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Highlights of the National
Institute on Drug Abuse's 2005 Monitoring the Future
Survey
The Good News
Overall, the results are positive. While there was no
substantive change in any illicit drug use between 2004
and 2005, there has been an approximately 19% decline
over the last four years in any illicit drug use in the
past month by students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth
grades combined. (See figure.)
Cigarette smoking is at its lowest rate in the history
of the survey. In 2005, declines were observed in
lifetime cigarette use among 12th and 8th graders and in
daily use among 12th graders. Disapproval of smoking one
or more packs of cigarettes a day increased among 12th
graders. These finding are particularly notable since
nicotine is often used before any other drugs of abuse,
and tobacco addiction is one of the leading contributors
to many of our Nation's public health problems.
Alcohol use in the past year decreased among 8th graders
and 12th graders, and use in the past month decreased
among 10th graders.
Decreases were seen in the past month, past year, and
lifetime use of methamphetamine among 12th graders and
in lifetime use among 10th graders.
Amphetamine use in the past month, past year, and
lifetime decreased among 12th graders.
Since 2004, past year and past month steroid use
decreased among 12th graders. Between 2001 and 2005
lifetime and past year steroid use decreased in all
grades.
Between 2001 and 2005 lifetime use of marijuana
decreased among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. Past year,
past month, and daily use also declined among 8th and
10th graders since 2001.
Lifetime use of MDMA (Ecstasy) and LSD, and past year
use of GHB decreased among 12th graders from 2004 to
2005.
The perception of the availability of LSD, MDMA
(Ecstasy), hallucinogens other than LSD, amphetamines,
and tranquilizers decreased among 12th graders and
perception of availability of steroids decreased among
8th graders.
Areas of Concern
A main area of concern is the continued high rates of
nonmedical use of prescription pain killers (i.e.,
Vicodin and OxyContin) in each grade. In 2005,
nonmedical use of Vicodin and OxyContin within the past
year was reported by 9.5% and 5.5% of 12th grade
students, respectively. Long term trends show an
increase in the abuse of OxyContin from 2002 to 2005
among 12th graders.
Also of concern is the increase in the use of
sedatives/barbiturates (sleeping pills) among 12th
graders since 2001.
Between 2002 and 2005 lifetime and past year use of
inhalants increased among 8th graders. This troubling
trend should give us cause for concern, especially since
these substances are abused more often by younger
students compared to older students.
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