Understanding Teen Substance Use

Statistics indicate that alcohol is the most commonly used substance among teenagers, with varying rates of use across different grades. Approximately 17% of eighth graders, 28% of tenth graders, and 46.5% of twelfth graders reported using alcohol in the past year. A significant portion of this alcohol is procured in ways that can involve parents, such as parents supplying it or teenagers obtaining it from siblings and friends with fake IDs. Understanding these statistics highlights the necessity for parents to engage in informed conversations regarding alcohol use and to establish safe practices to ensure their children can navigate social situations responsibly.