Nearly 9 out of every 10 teenagers in the U.S. report that their classmates drink, smoke or use drugs in school, according to National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XVII: Teens.
The survey found that more than half of school students know at least one person on campus that are into illicit drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, meth or heroin and a place where they could get drugs during school. Teenagers have easy access to drugs and can get prescription drugs in as little as one hour.
It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 teens, or about 17 percent, uses drug, drink or smoke. More than 50 percent teenagers attending private schools said that their school was drug-infected. This is a rise from 36 percent teenagers last year.
“For millions of American teens, drugs and alcohol, not more advanced education, are what put the ‘high’ in the high schools they attend. For millions of parents trying to raise drug-free kids, the ‘high’ school years are the most dangerous times their children face, and the ‘high’ schools are a dangerous place to send their kids,” said Joseph A. Califano, Jr. Founder and Chairman Emeritus of CASAColumbia and former US Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
The survey found that more than half of school students know at least one person on campus that are into illicit drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, meth or heroin and a place where they could get drugs during school. Teenagers have easy access to drugs and can get prescription drugs in as little as one hour.
It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 teens, or about 17 percent, uses drug, drink or smoke. More than 50 percent teenagers attending private schools said that their school was drug-infected. This is a rise from 36 percent teenagers last year.
“For millions of American teens, drugs and alcohol, not more advanced education, are what put the ‘high’ in the high schools they attend. For millions of parents trying to raise drug-free kids, the ‘high’ school years are the most dangerous times their children face, and the ‘high’ schools are a dangerous place to send their kids,” said Joseph A. Califano, Jr. Founder and Chairman Emeritus of CASAColumbia and former US Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.