SOBERING NUMBERS

A few facts on teen alcohol and drug consumption:

Four out every five high school students have consumed alcohol (more than a
few sips) before graduating from high school.

The drinking "gender gap" that historically separated boys and girls has
vanished. Forty percent of ninth-grade boys and 41 percent of ninth-grade
girls are likely to drink.

More than 5 million American teenagers drink heavily each month.

In 2002, more than half of the country's high school students, 53 percent,
reported using illegal drugs.

SOURCE: saddonline.com

Teen Drug Use

Percent of American teenagers

8th grade 10th grade 12th grade

Drug:

Marijuana 19.2 38.7 47.8

Cocaine 3.6 6.1 7.8

Heroin 1.6 1.8 1.7

Tobacco 31.4 47.4 57.2

Tranquilizers 4.3 8.8 11.4

Methamphetamine 3.5 6.1 6.7

Ecstasy 4.3 6.6 10.5

SOURCES - saddonline.com and monitoringthefuture.org