Every year, the United States – through several national surveys – reports on the status of drug taking by American youth.

Since all are government-funded and of course decry drug use, the announcement accompanying the release of each survey paints a positive picture.

Thus the last (2006) “Monitoring the Future” study of high school students trumpeted, “Teen drug use continues downwards.”

This is a reassuring message indeed; perhaps we are nearing our goal of eradicating youthful illicit drug use! This is the mission for Drug Czar John Walters, who seriously claims it will be realized.

But then comes the rest of the title: “particularly among older teens; but use of prescription-type drugs remains high.” Heavens, what does this all mean?!

The current group of seniors was notable for its reduced drug use as eight graders, a wave of relatively “prohibitionist” teens – although that roughly one in two still has used illicit drugs is hardly reassuring.

Furthermore, this reduction has halted with current middle schoolers, and the researchers expect a possible resurgence – or at least leveling off – in drug use trends.

There has been a shift in drugs favored by teens. Marijuana use declined -- about a third of seniors have used it in the last year.

But other drug use has been increasing, including drugs far more dangerous than marijuana. Most notably, use of painkillers, tranquilizers, and sedatives has risen.

About ten percent of seniors have used Vicodin, for instance. Use of OxyContin – along with barbiturates and sedatives – has also increased steadily across age groups for the last ten years.

What does the rise in prescription misuse – particularly of so-called depressant drugs – mean? These drugs do not produce pleasure, but instead dull feelings and awareness.

Their growing use is certainly not a good statement about American youth. Moreover, government statistics on overdose deaths and addiction lump painkillers like Vicodin, OxyContin, Methadone, and heroin together. These are all potent mood-modifying substances.

Of course, recreational use of prescription meds, including also stimulant drugs such as Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin used to treat ADHD, reflects the pervasiveness of these drugs in our culture.

Use of every class of therapeutic drugs for children and adolescents has risen by several multiples in recent decades. These include anti-ADHD stimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics (used to treat conduct disorders), lithium and anti-seizure drugs (for bipolar disorder), et al.

A recent study found that the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder among young people jumped 40-fold between 1994 and 2003! Despite this tremendous surge, bipolar diagnoses and treatment continue to rise.

Why so many children require psychiatric medication is a topic for another day. Let’s just say that these amazing increases across the board of therapeutic drugs cannot simply be dismissed as a recognition of maladies that previously went undetected.

Something appears to be wrong with our kids. More importantly, if so many children are prescribed drugs, we can hardly expect American youth to be drug-free.

And, finally, we come to alcohol. The goal repeatedly reiterated by local and national governmental officials is the elimination of underage drinking. How far we are from this goal is indicated by another survey – this one the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The 2006 results indicate that by the time they reach the age of 21, almost 9 in 10 youths have consumed alcohol. Moreover, they regularly drinking abusively – a third of 18-year-olds, about 40% of 20-year-olds, and about half of 21-year-olds binge drink at least monthly!

These data make clear that the idea of substance-free youth in America is a pipe dream. And it is a dangerous pipe dream.

Since we can’t recognize – let alone accept – that psychoactive substance use is now a rite of passage, we cannot hope to prevent its most dangerous consequences. These include drunk-driving, reckless sex, and addiction.

While we are praying kids aren’t using drugs and drinking, we are unable to help our young protect themselves.

Source: Stanton's Blog September 16, 2007 www.peele.net/blog/