Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey has been measuring the drug, cigarette and alcohol use among teen students nationwide since 1975. People who participate in this survey report their drug usage across different time periods including over a lifetime, over the past year, and over the past month. For some drugs, the daily usage is also recorded. The survey initially only surveyed students in the 12th grade, but later in 1991 they expended their research to include 8th and 10th graders. The MTF survey is supported and funded by the NIDA and is carried out through the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. The following findings were recorded during the year of 2009.
Positive Findings
Cigarette smoking has decreased significantly and is not at its lowest point in the history of this survey. This is particularly worth mentioning because the addiction to tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in our nation.
Between the years of 2004 and 2009, a decrease in the use of met amphetamine was recorded for all surveyed grades, and lifetime usage dropped a lot among eighth graders. Amongst the tenth and twelfth graders, five year decreases in usage were recorded for past year usage of amphetamines and cocaine. Amongst the twelfth graders, the past year usage of cocaine dropped significantly.
Across the three grades being surveyed, a decrease in alcohol consumption and binge drinking were recorded from 2004 to 2009.
The usage of hallucinogens decreased among 12th graders in 2009. The past year usage of hallucinogens and LSD dropped dramatically from 2.7 to 1.9 percent. Among 12th graders, the usage of hallucinogens other than LSD decreased significantly.
Student’s attitude towards substance abuse has showed favorable changes. Among the 12th graders, the perceived harmfulness of drugs increased. Across the three different grades, the known availability of several harmful substances decreased.
Areas of Concern
Marijuana usage across the three grades being surveyed has always shown a steady drop but in the last five years the drop has stalled. Past year usage was recorded as 11.8 percent in eighth grade, 26.7 percent in the tenth grade, and 32.8 percent in the 12th grade. Perceived risk of the usage of marijuana decreased among the 8th and 10th graders, while the perceived availability dropped in the 12th grade.
The usage of smokeless tobacco has increased significantly by the tenth graders.
The use of pills such as Vicodin and OxyContin increased among tenth graders in the past five years.
