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Good News Found in "2005 Monitoring the Future Report"

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Brief Description:
According to a survey, alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use decreased in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in 2005.

Transcript:
Akinso: There was a lot of good news to be found Monday morning, December 19th, when the National Institute on Drug Abuse unveiled the results of the 2005 Monitoring the Future Survey. According to the survey, alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use decreased in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in 2005. The information from this survey, which tracks illicit drug use and attitudes of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students, helps identify potential drug problem areas among young people and helps to assess whether Federal drug prevention efforts are effective. It also ensures that resources are targeted to areas of greatest need according to Doctor Nora Volkow, the Director of NIDA.

Volkow: This year's survey actually has some very good news. In that it is showing, that between 2001-2005 there's been a 19 percent decrease in the abuse of illegal substances accessed by the indicator of monthly utilization. This is a dramatic decline if one thinks about it. It's approximately 700,000 less kids using drugs.

Akinso: Although results of the survey are promising there's still some concern about the continued high rates of non-medical use of prescription pain killers. Another disturbing trend is the increased use of inhalants among 8th graders. Still, most of the news was positive, as Doctor Volkow explained.

Volkow: Over the past 4 years it highlights the importance of prevention and it shows that indeed prevention works and in this case interfering with utilization in young individuals is likely to actually protect them later during their adult life of becoming addicted.

Akinso: For more information visit, www.monitoringthefuture.org. This is Wally Akinso at the National Institute of Health Bethesda Maryland.

This page was last reviewed on June 30, 2006 .

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