Poll finds teen smoking rate at all-time low

Abuse of prescription drugs continues to be a major problem among teenagers although fewer of them are smoking cigarettes, according to the 2008 Monitoring the Future survey released today.

The survey, which has been conducted for 33 years, found that nearly 10% of high school seniors reported nonmedical use of Vicodin and 4.7% reported abusing OxyContin. Both are strong opioid pain pills. Seven of the top 10 drugs abused by high school seniors were prescription or over-the-counter medications. The high rates of abuse of prescription drugs is a reminder to parents to keep medications out of the reach of minors. "While the long-term general decline (in drug abuse) is encouraging, especially for cigarettes and alcohol, some of the other findings this year amplify our concerns for potential problems in the future -- especially the nonmedical use of prescription drugs," said Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which funds the study. Monitoring the Future is conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan.

The survey also found that marijuana use has leveled off after a decade-long decline. About 11% of eighth-graders, 24% of 10th-graders and 32% of 12th-graders reported using marijuana in the last year.

Cigarette smoking, however, is at its lowest point since the survey began. Still, more than 1 in 10 high school seniors say they smoke daily and 5.4% smoke more than a half a pack a day.

Alcohol use continues to decline in all grades. This year's survey showed a significant drop among 10th-graders for all categories of alcohol use, such as lifetime use, use in the last month and binge drinking.

The nationwide survey, which can be found on the Monitoring the Future website, included more than 46,000 students from public and private high schools.

-- Shari Roan

Photo: OxyContin is a drug for pain relief that is used as a drug-of-abuse among some teenagers. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times