Monitoring the Future

Revised December 2016

Monitoring the Future Results

Since 1975 the MTF survey has measured drug, alcohol, and cigarette use and related attitudes among adolescent students nationwide. Survey participants report their drug use behaviors across three time periods: lifetime, past year, and past month. Overall, 45,473 students from 372 public and private schools participated in this year's Monitoring the Future survey. The survey is funded by the NIDA, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and conducted by the University of Michigan.

Results from the Survey are released each fall. To get the latest information, check the links below. Note: The findings and conclusions in these reports are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the NIH.

2016 Monitoring the Future Survey

12/13/16 - Teen substance use shows promising decline - NIH Monitoring the Future survey shows use of most illicit substances down, but past year marijuana use relatively stable
- Audiocast of the 2016 Monitoring the Future Results
- DrugFacts—Monitoring the Future Survey: High School and Youth Trends
- University of Michigan press releases - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- 2016 Data from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-Grade Students - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- View Infographic

NIDA Director Summarizes Monitoring the Future Survey Highlights

The Impact of Changing Social Behaviors on Teen Drug Use

Dr. Wilson Compton on MTF and Nicotine Use

NIDA grantee Dr. Lloyd Johnston:
Through the Years

NIDA grantee Dr. Lloyd Johnston, who 42 years ago designed and began the Nation’s annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, hangs up his hat next year as the survey’s Principal Investigator. In 1975, Johnston oversaw the first nationwide survey of about 16,000 seniors in more than 130 public and private high schools nationwide, recruiting all of the high school principals himself. The survey has now grown to more than 45,000 participants from close to 400 schools around the country. Dr. Johnston will continue to advise the new survey leadership. In this video, Dr. Johnston talks about four decades of research into teen drug use and attitudes.

NIDA Pays Tribute to Dr. Lloyd Johnston

Past Survey Announcements

12/16/15 - Drug use trends remain stable or decline among teens
- Audiocast of the 2015 Monitoring the Future Results
- NIDA Hosts Twitter chat on Monitoring the Future
- Overview of Findings
- Monitoring the Future Figures 2015
- View Encouraging News from Monitoring the Future - (Nora's Blog)
- University of Michigan press releases - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- 2015 Data from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-Grade Students - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- View Infographic
- View Animated Infographic

NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow discusses 2015 MTF survey results: Illicit and Prescription Drugs

NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow discusses 2015 MTF survey results: Tobacco

12/16/14 - Teen prescription opioid abuse, cigarette, and alcohol use trends down - NIH’s 2014 Monitoring the Future survey shows high rates of e-cigarette use and fewer concerns about marijuana’s risks
- Audiocast of the 2014 Monitoring the Future Results
- NIDA Hosts Twitter chat on Monitoring the Future
- Overview of Findings
- Monitoring the Future Figures 2014
- Use of alcohol, cigarettes, and a number of illicit drugs declines among U.S. teens (PDF, 184KB) - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- E-cigarettes surpass tobacco cigarettes among teens (PDF, 49KB) - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- 2014 Data from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-Grade Students - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- View Infographic
- View Animated Infographic

12/18/13 - Sixty percent of 12th graders do not view regular marijuana use as harmful - NIH’s 2013 Monitoring the Future Survey shows high rates of marijuana use; decreases in abuse of pain relievers and synthetic drugs
- Audiocast of the 2013 Monitoring the Future Results
- Overview of Findings
- American teens more cautious about using synthetic drugs - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- Teen smoking continues to decline in 2013 - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- 2013 Data from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-Grade Students - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- View Infographic
- View Animated Infographic
- View Videos

12/18/12 - Regular marijuana use by teens continues to be a concern
- Audiocast of the 2012 Monitoring the Future Results
- Overview of Findings
- The rise in teen marijuana use stalls, synthetic marijuana use levels, and use of 'bath salts' is very low - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- Decline in teen smoking continues into 2012 - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- 2012 Data from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-Grade Students - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- Listen to HHS HealthBeat podcast: Teens and marijuana
- View Infographic
12/14/11 - Cigarette and alcohol use at historic low among teens
- Audiocast of the 2011 Monitoring the Future Results
- Overview of Findings
- Marijuana use continues to rise among U.S. teens, while alcohol use hits historic lows - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- Decline in teen smoking resumes in 2011 - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- 2011 Data from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-Grade Students - (University of Michigan Web Site)
12/14/10 - Teen marijuana use increases, especially among eighth-graders
- Overview of Findings
- Marijuana use is rising; ecstasy use is beginning to rise; and alcohol use is declining among U.S. teens - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- Smoking stops declining and shows signs of increasing among younger teens - (University of Michigan Web Site)
- Quick Link to 2010 Figures and Data Tables from In-School Surveys of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-Grade Students - (University of Michigan Web Site)
Archived MTF News Releases

Monitoring the Future Publications