Survey Shows Decline

In Teen Drug Abuse

The 2003 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) shows Ecstasy use among American teenagers has dropped by 25 percent in two years. The data also report significant declines over the past five years in teen use of marijuana, LSD, and methamphetamine, as well as noteworthy declines in the number of teenagers using alcohol and smoking cigarettes.

In addition, the data suggest media-based education efforts are influencing teen attitudes and behavior. Teens frequently exposed to antidrug ads report significantly stronger antidrug attitudes and, in some cases, lower drug use.

“In addition to the good news on Ecstasy, the overall trend is quite encouraging,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. “Kids clearly are accepting, on their own terms, information about the risks of a variety of drugs. More and more teens are deciding not to use drugs. Clearly, more young people believe the risks outweigh the benefits.”

For more information, visit www.drugfreeamerica.org or www.preventionworksct.org.