Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of youth have tried cigarettes by 12th grade, and more than a third (35 percent) of 12th graders are current smokers. Even as early as 8th grade, nearly half (44 percent) of youth have tried cigarettes and 18 percent are already current smokers.

Four out of every five students (80 percent) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school; about half (52 percent) have done so by the 8th grade. In fact, 62 percent of the 12th graders and 25 percent of the 8th graders report having been drunk at least once.

In the last third of the twentieth century, young Americans achieved extraordinary levels of illicit drug use, by historical comparisons in this country, and by international comparisons with other countries. By 1975, when the National Senior High School Survey began, the majority of young people (55 percent) had used an illicit drug by the time they left high school. This figure rose to two-thirds (66 percent) by 1981, before a long and gradual decline to 41 percent by 1992 -- the low point. Today the proportion is back to 55 percent after a period of considerable escalation in the 90s.

Annual marijuana use peaked at 51 percent among 12th graders in 1979, following a rise that likely began in the 1960s. Then, use declined fairly steadily for thirteen years, bottoming at 22 percent in 1992 -- a decline of more than half. The 90s, however, saw resurgence in use. After a considerable increase in the 90s, annual prevalence rates peaked in 1996, and after a slight decline, have leveled off somewhat since then.

Both perceived risk and personal disapproval of marijuana use among youth has dropped considerably in the past ten years. In terms of availability, since 1975, between 83 percent and 90 percent of every senior high school class said that they could get marijuana fairly easily or easily if they wanted some. In 1999, nearly half of all 8th graders (48 percent) and more than three-quarters (78 percent) of 10th graders reported it as being accessible. This compares to 89 percent for seniors.

According to long-term data from 12th graders, inhalant use rose gradually for some years from 1976 to 1987. All grades, including 8th, 10th, and 12th grade, have shown a steady decline since then. However, most youth do not believe there is much risk in using inhalants.

This information excerpted from the 1999 "Monitoring the Future: Overview of Key Findings Report" from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research.

Among youth ages 12 to 17, the percent using illicit drugs in the 30 days prior to interview was slightly higher for boys (11.3 percent) than for girls (10.5 percent). Although in the age group 12 to 17 years, boys had a slightly higher rate of marijuana use than girls (8.4 percent versus 7.1 percent), girls were somewhat more likely to use psychotherapeutics non-medically than boys (3.2 percent versus 2.6 percent).

The rates of current illicit drug use for major racial/ethnic groups were 6.6 percent for whites, 6.8 percent for Hispanics, and 7.7 percent for blacks. The rate was highest among the American Indian/Alaska Native population (10.6 percent) and among persons reporting multiple race (11.2 percent). Asians had the lowest rate (3.2 percent).

Of the ten states with the highest rates of current illicit drug use in the population age 12 and older, six were in the West region. Eight of the ten states with the lowest rates were in the South region. However, within the regions, there was considerable variation. For example, Utah, a Western state, had a relatively low past-month prevalence rate of 6.2 percent. Delaware had one of the higher rates in the country (8.5 percent). Prevalence estimates ranged from a low of 4.7 percent (Virginia) to a high of 10.7 percent (Alaska).

Six of the 10 states that were in the highest ranking category for past-month use of any illicit drug for persons age 12 and older were also in the highest group for youth ages 12 to 17. The rate for youth was lowest for the state of Utah (8.0 percent). The highest estimate for youth was in Delaware (18.3 percent).

The state with the highest rate of binge drinking for persons age 12 and older was North Dakota (28.7 percent). Most of the states with high rates were Northern states. Seven out of the top 10 states were in the Midwest region. The state with the lowest rate was Maryland at 15.3 percent. Most of the states with the lowest rates of binge drinking were Southern states.

The state with the highest rates of past-year dependence on illicit drugs and on illicit drugs or alcohol was Alaska, with 2.8 percent of its 12 and older population dependent on illicit drugs and 7.3 percent dependent on illicit drugs or alcohol.

Six of the ten states with the highest rates of dependence on any illicit drug or alcohol were Western states, and three were Midwestern states.

This information excerpted from the 1999 "Household Alcohol and Drug Abuse Survey" from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.