Monitoring the Future 2019 Survey Results: Overall Findings

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For more information on MTF 2019 Survey findings specific to Vaping: archives.nida.nih.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/monitoring-future-2019-survey-results-vaping

Monitoring the Future is an annual survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders conducted by researchers at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, under a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health. Since 1975, the survey has measured how teens report their drug, alcohol, and cigarette use and related attitudes in 12th graders nationwide; 8th and 10th graders were added to the survey in 1991.

42,531 Students from 396 public and private schools participated in the 2019 survey.  

Figure 1. Illicit Drug Use
Past year use of illicit drugs among 12^th graders remained steady.

Any illicit drugs 38%

Illicit drugs not including marijuana 11.5%

Past year use of illicit drugs:
Marijuana                     35.7%
LSD                               3.6%
Synthetic Cannabinoids 3.3%
Cocaine                        2.2%
MDMA                         2.2%
Heroin                          0.4%

Figure 2. Daily Marijuana Use in Lower Grades Increases But Past Year Marijuana Use Steady
Both 8^th and 10^th graders reported significant increase in daily marijuana use between 2018 and 2019.

2018 Daily Marijuana Use
8^th grade           0.7%
10^th grade         3.4%
12^th grade         5.8%

2019 Daily Marijuana Use
8^th grade           1.3%
10^th grade         4.8%
12^th grade         6.4%

Past year marijuana use – gap closing between older grades
8^th grade           11.8%
10^th grade         28.8%
12^th grade         35.7%

Figure 3. Prescription Drug Misuse Continues Decline from Peak Years

Vicodin®

Peak Years
8^th grade:          3.0% (2006)
10^th grade:        8.1% (2009)
12^th grade:        10.5% (2003)

2019
8^th grade           0.9%
10^th grade         1.1%
12^th grade         1.1%

Oxycontin®

Peak Years
8^th grade:          2.6% (2006)
10^th grade:        5.1% (2009)
12^th grade:        5.5% (2005)

2019
8^th grade           1.2%
10^th grade         2.0%
12^th grade         1.7%

Adderall® Misuse Sees Significant Changes in Past 5 Years

Decrease in 10^th and 12^th grades but an increase in 8^th grades

2014
8^th grade           1.3%
10^th grade         4.6%
12^th grade         6.8%

2019
8^th grade           2.5%
10^th grade         3.1%
12^th grade         3.9%

Figure 4. Tobacco and Nicotine: Vaping Threatens Progress

Nicotine – Daily Use

Daily Smoking
8^th grade           0.8%
10^th grade         1.3%
12^th grade         2.4%*

*Significant decline from 2018 (3.6%)

Daily Nicotine Vaping
8^th grade           1.9%
10^th grade         6.9%
12^th grade         11.7%

Cigarette Smoking (Past Month) Declines Over Past Ten Years
8^th grade           2.3%
10^th grade         3.4%
12^th grade         5.7%*

*Significant decline from 2018 (7.6%)

Figure 5. Alcohol Use Continues to Decline

Significant Long-Term Decrease in All Grades

2019
8^th grade           19.3%
10^th grade         37.7%
12^th grade         52.1%

Binge Drinking* Significant Long-Term Decrease in All Grades

2019
8^th grade           3.8%
10^th grade         8.5%
12th grade        14.4%

*5 or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks

For more information on MTF 2019 Survey findings specific to Vaping: archives.nida.nih.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/monitoring-future-2019-survey-results-vaping

This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated, using the following language: Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.