New Report Provides Startling Look at Substance Abuse On An Average Day In The Life Of American Adolescents

Newswise (Online) June 3: 

”On an average day, 508,000 adolescents aged 12-17 in the United States drink alcohol; 641,000 use illicit drugs; and more than 1 million smoke cigarettes, according to a national survey sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)… Among the report's major findings is that on any given day during 2008, 563,000 adolescents used marijuana, nearly 37,000 used inhalants, 24,000 used hallucinogens, 16,000 used cocaine and 2,800 used heroin. ‘This report is a wake up call about the extent to which our nation’s youth engage in risky behavior by using illegal and potentially dangerous substances everyday,’ said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. ‘Parents, families and people working in the public health and public safety professions can prevent substance abuse and promote emotional health. In the long run our efforts can improve health status and lower costs to families, businesses and governments.’”
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