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Federal Resources
Vital Signs: Demographic and Substance Use Trends Among Heroin Users — United States, 2002-2013
FDA and CDC analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and National Vital Statistics System during 2002-2013 to assess trends in heroin use among demographic and particular substance-using groups. Results show that heroin use has increased significantly across most demographic groups. Results also suggest an increase in heroin abuse or dependence parallels the increase in heroin-related overdose deaths, and reflects heroin use is occurring in the context of broader poly-substance use.
Report: Frequency of Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students
Researchers from CDC and FDA analyzed data from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey to determine how frequently middle school and high school students in the United States used cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco products. Among current users in high school, frequent use was most prevalent among smokeless tobacco users, followed by cigarette smokers, e-cigarette users, and cigar smokers. Among current users in middle school, frequent use was greatest among smokeless tobacco users, followed by cigarette smokers, cigar smokers, and e-cigarette users. Current use of two or more types of tobacco products was common.
Report: Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students
Researchers from CDC and FDA analyzed data from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey to determine the prevalence of current use of flavored e-cigarette, hookah tobacco, cigar, pipe tobacco, or smokeless tobacco products, and menthol cigarettes among middle and high school students. An estimated 70% of all current youth tobacco users had used at least one flavored tobacco product in the past 30 days. Among current users, 63.3% used a flavored e-cigarette, 60.6% had used flavored hookah tobacco, and 63.5% had used a flavored cigar.
Share with Youth: This Free Life
This campaign aims to prevent and reduce tobacco use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) young adults, ages 18-24, who are occasional smokers. As highlighted in a recent blog post describing the campaign, LGBT young adults in the United States are nearly twice as likely to use tobacco as other young adults.
Resource: New Tobacco Product Regulations
These regulations extend FDA authority to regulate all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, hookah, and cigars. According to the new rules, retailers will no longer be able to sell e-cigarettes, cigars, or other covered tobacco products to anyone under age 18 and all tobacco sales to those 26 and under will require photo identification.
Report: Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students — U.S., 2011–2016
This report analyzes data from the 2011–2016 National Youth Tobacco Surveys to determine recent patterns of current use of seven tobacco product types among U.S. middle and high school students. Decreases in cigarette and cigar use during 2011–2016 were offset by increases in hookah and e-cigarette use, resulting in no significant change in any tobacco use. In 2016, e-cigarettes remained the most commonly-used tobacco product among high school and middle school students.
4-H Military Partnerships
The National 4-H Headquarters, at USDA has established formal partnerships with Army Child and Youth Services, Air Force Airmen and Family Services, Army Child and Youth Services and Navy Child and Youth Programs to support positive youth development education for youth whose parents are serving in the military.
2013 Monitoring the Future Survey
The Monitoring the Future survey, conducted annually, measures the current drug use, and attitudes toward drugs, of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 across the country. Results included observed declines in the abuse of prescription opioids, alcohol, and cigarettes by teens, the use of synthetic marijuana, Vicodin, and salvia among twelfth graders, and the use of inhalants by eighth graders, but an increase in teens’ use of Adderall. The results also reveal that less than 40% of high school seniors believed that regular marijuana users risk harming themselves, meaning that the perception by seniors that regular marijuana may be dangerous is the lowest it has been since 1978.
Alcohol Policy Information System
The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) provides detailed information on a wide variety of alcohol-related policies in the United States at both State and Federal levels.
Drug Addiction: Step-by-Step Guides for Seeking Help
NIDA has released new step-by-step guides both for those seeking help to overcome drug addiction and their loved ones. The guides are presented in a simple Q&A format with accompanying videos and are customized into four categories: (1) teens seeking help, (2) adults seeking help, (3) parents/guardians seeking help for their teen/young adult child, and (4) those trying to help an adult loved one.
E-Cigarette Use in College Tied to Other Risky Behaviors
A new study of more than 1,400 college students shows that students who use tobacco, marijuana, and/or binge drink are more likely to use electronic cigarettes. The survey results also show that students who considered e-cigarettes to be less harmful than traditional tobacco products were also more likely to use e-cigarettes.
Get Involved: NIDA's National Drug Facts Week
Get involved with NIDA’s fifth annual Drug Facts Week. Host or promote events for teens that help shatter the myths about drugs, and expose teens to facts about drugs and addiction from scientists and other experts. NIDA staff can recommend materials and activities, help organizations partner with one another, and highlight events on the official 2015 National Drug Facts Week map.
Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know
This resource provides parents with tips on how to spot marijuana use by their teen and how to raise the issue with them.
Marijuana: Facts for Teens
This resource for teens discusses the consequences and effects of marijuana use, as well as its risk for addiction and potential as a medicine.
Limited Internet? Get a Flash Drive with Resources about Teen Prescription Drug Abuse
Resources from PeerX, NIDA’s online educational campaign to discourage abuse of prescription drugs among teens, are now available on a free flash drive. To get the flash drive, send an email to peerx@iqsolutions.com. The flash drive includes interactive videos, fact sheets, the PEERx Activity Guide, and other educational resources.
Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide
This guide offers research-based principles and approaches for practitioners to consider when treating adolescent substance abuse, as well as information about settings in which treatment occurs, the role of family and medical professions in treatment and recovery, and frequently asked questions about adolescent drug use.
Research-based Strategies Help Reduce Underage Drinking
An evaluation of studies conducted since the 2007 release of the Surgeon General’s report, “Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking” reveals that the approaches outlined in the report show promise in preventing underage drinking. Some of the suggested strategies that were reviewed include nighttime restrictions on young drivers, strict license suspension policies, interventions focused on partnerships between college campuses and the community, and routine screening by physicians to identify and counsel underage drinkers.
Results From the 2014 Monitoring the Future Survey
The annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey measures the current drug use by and attitudes toward drugs of students in grades 8, 10, and 12. Results show that use of cigarettes and alcohol and abuse of prescription pain relievers among teens has declined since 2013, but rates of marijuana use were stable. Measured for the first time in the 2014, the use of electronic cigarettes is high among teens, with past-month use at 8.7% for 8th graders, 16.2% for 10th graders, and 17.1% for 12th graders.
Teen Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Videos
The Choose Your Path activity includes two interactive videos that allow teens to assume the role of the main character and make decisions about whether to abuse certain prescription drugs.
Study: Counseling Beats School Suspension at Curbing Pot Use
A new study found that students at schools that impose suspensions for marijuana use are more likely to smoke pot than students at schools without such a policy. Data also show that counseling was found to be much more effective in reducing marijuana use than suspensions.
Study Defines Brain and Behavioral Effects of Teen Binge Drinking
A new study supported by the NIAAA suggests that adolescent binge drinking can disrupt gene regulation and brain development in ways that promote anxiety and excessive drinking behaviors that can persist into adulthood.
Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help
This web-based guide is intended for individuals and their families and friends seeking treatment for alcohol problems. It helps them understand available treatment choices and what to consider when selecting services.
E-cigarettes May Affect Teen Tobacco Use
This article describes a study by researchers at the University of Southern California that analyzed e-cigarette use among high school students and its relationship with trying smoking tobacco products. Researchers analyzed data from more than 2,500 students who reported they had not smoked any tobacco products at the start of ninth grade. After six months, 31% of those who had used e-cigarettes started smoking tobacco, compared to 8% of those who had never used e-cigarettes. Over the next six months, 25% of e-cigarette users reported they had smoked tobacco in the past six months, compared to 9% of those who had not used e-cigarettes.
Resource: Address College Drinking
NIAAA released CollegeAIM, a matrix-based instrument that can help educate college staff about underage student drinking interventions and guide them in implementing evidence-based interventions. CollegeAIM also allows officials to compare approaches and select a combination that meet the needs of their students and campus.
Report: Rates of Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder Double in 10 Years
This report illustrates the urgent public health problem of prescription opioid misuse. As described in the report, a recent study by the NIAAA shows the use of prescription opioids more than doubled among adults in the United States from 2001-2002 to 2012-2013.