How many teens are on drugs or consuming alcohol? The best way to find out is to ask them. And that’s exactly what the NIDA does every year in its annual Monitoring the Future study. On a national scale, thousands of teens are trying, using, consuming, or outright addicted to a substance. So we posed the question, how serious is adolescent abuse in North Carolina?
Alcohol-Related Behaviors in High School Students
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the percentage of high school students who consumed alcohol for the very first time before age 13 in North Carolina is 18%. Alcohol consumption means actually drinking, not just take a few sips of, alcohol.
Roughly 22% of males and 14% of females consumed alcohol in NC before turning 13. How does this compare to the national percentage?
- In the US, 20% of high school students under the age of 13 consumed alcohol.
- 23% of them were male.
- 17% of them were female.
How often are teens in North Carolina consuming alcohol? According to HHS:
- 34% of high school students in NC drink at least one alcoholic beverage per day.
- 18% of high school students in NC drink five or more alcoholic beverages in a row and within a couple of hours on at least one day.
Drug Use among High School Students
What about drug use among North Carolinian high school students?
- The HHS reports that 43% of students have used marijuana one or more times, in contrast to a national percentage of 40%.
- 11% of students have used an inhalant, such as sniffing glue, breathing in the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaling paints or sprays to get high.
- 7% of students ages 12 to 17 reported using pain relievers for nonmedical reasons.
Seeking Substance Abuse Treatment
There is no doubt that North Carolina teens are not just exposed to addictive substances, but also using them. According to the HHS, 4% of teenagers ages 12 to 17 need but do not receive the treatment they need for alcohol use. Another 4% of teenagers need but do not receive the treatment for illicit drug use.
Our youth are at great risk of falling prey to the dangers of addictive substances. Their access to them through fake IDs is on the rise.
Spotting the signs of drug addiction and an alcohol problem are more important today than ever before. Adolescent substance abuse in North Carolina is a serious matter, and it’s up to us to help our youth avoid abuse and addiction.
Take a Stance against Substance Abuse
How can you help? Can you make a difference?
The key to helping your teens avoid substance abuse is education. You can help by taking an active interest in the teens in your life.
Address their curiosity. Don’t be afraid to talk openly about drugs and alcohol. If you keep the lines of communication open, you can help them avoid the perils of alcoholism and drug addiction.