Drug use up among teens, but other risky behaviors declining, study says

June 9, 2000
Web posted at: 4:36 p.m. EDT (2036 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Teen-agers apparently are paying attention to some public health warnings about risky behavior, but ignoring others, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers surveyed 15,349 teens across the United States last year as part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a study done every two years. They found drug use and cigarette smoking have increased over the past decade, but sexual activity and some other risk factors have declined.

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Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen reports on the results of a study of risky behavior among U.S. teens by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

"There is reason to feel optimistic about many of the trends in risk behavior among our young people," said CDC director Dr. Jeffrey Koplan in a statement. "However, we have much left to do. Too many of our children are still engaging in activities that put them at risk for health problems now and into adulthood."

Public education succeeding

Among the positive trends uncovered by the survey, researchers said the number of teen-agers who admitted carrying weapons decreased by 34 percent. The number who use seatbelts in the car increased by 37 percent.

Eight percent fewer teens reported being sexually active, and among those who are, condom use increased 26 percent.

The CDC researchers believe the reason for these improvements is simple: Education campaigns on television, in schools, churches and communities have finally made a difference.

For instance, some pediatricians said the education campaigns have given teens more confidence to discuss traditionally taboo subjects like sex.

"I think America's got a much more mature brand of teen-ager," explained pediatrician Thomas Calk.

Some areas lag

However, warned Laura Kahn of the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health, "there are still kids at risk, so we don't want to declare victory in any particular area at this point."

Drug and tobacco use were areas that showed an increase, despite public education campaigns about the associated dangers.

Smoking was up slightly, with 35 percent of teen-agers reporting lighting up in the previous month.

"I think 35 percent is alarmingly high," said American Lung Association spokeswoman Cassandra Welch, "especially with all that we know about the devastating effects of tobacco use."

The number of teens who said they smoked marijuana nearly doubled, from 14.7 percent in 1991 to 26.7 percent in 1999. Cocaine use in the same period did double -- from 1.7 percent to 4 percent.

Alcohol use remained steady at about 50 percent.

The challenge, officials said, will be determining why some education campaigns seem to work, while others don't.

"It's important to monitor risk behaviors among young people so we can develop better prevention programs and policies," Kahn said.

CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Partnership for a Drug-Free America

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