Indicator: Youth Substance Use
Alcohol use by adolescents is linked to a host of physical and social problems, including motor vehicle crime and fatalities.
Early onset of use decreases potential economic productivity as an adult and results in a disproportionate share of health care
services for those affected. Use of drugs is a preventable behavior that, when established in youth, may develop into chronic drug
dependency and severe illness. Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Marijuana use
has both health and cognitive risks, and it is one of the most abused illicit drugs.
- Youth Alcohol Use
- Youth Tobacco Use
- Youth Marijuana Use
- Youth Prescription Drug Use
Why This is Important
Alcohol use by adolescents is linked to a host of physical and social problems, including motor vehicle crime and fatalities. Early onset of use decreases potential economic productivity as an adult and results in a disproportionate share of health care services for those affected. Use of drugs is a preventable behavior that, when established in youth, may develop into chronic drug dependency and severe illness.
Where We Stand
According to the 2007 Youth Risk and Behavior Survey (YRBS), about 39% of high school aged youth in Maine had at least one alcoholic drink on one or more of the past 30 days. This is lower than the national average of just under 45%. Since 1995, alcohol use has steadily declined, reaching an all time low in 2007.
Data Source and Context
This information comes from the Maine Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), and the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS). The data source is the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System maintained by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data from the Maine YRBS is available on-line at http://www.mainecshp.com/survey.html. National YRBS figures can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/yrbs. MYDAUS data can be accessed at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/data/mydaus/index.htm.
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Why This is Important
Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States.
Where We Stand
According to the 2007 YRBS, 14% of high school aged juveniles reporting smoking at least one cigarette in the last 30 days, down from 16% in 2005. Reported smoking has decreased 63% since 1995, when 37.8% of juveniles reported smoking in the past 30 days.
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Why This is Important
Marijuana use has both health and cognitive risks, and it is one of the most abused illicit drugs.
Where We Stand
According to the 2007 YRBS, 22% of high school aged juveniles in Maine reported using marijuana in the past 30 days, the same as in 2005, and higher than the national average of 19.7%. Since 1995, the percentage of youth who report past 30 day usage has decreased from a high of 30.4% in 1997.
