The pandemic has led to an unexpected decrease in substance use among teenagers, with record-low rates for alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana. Eighth graders have shown the highest rate of abstainers in decades, with 90% avoiding these substances in the past 30 days. This trend is unprecedented and calls for further investigation to understand the factors contributing to this positive shift. Nora Volkow, director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, emphasizes the need for tailored interventions to support and continue this decline in substance use among teenagers.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2024/12/the-kids-are-maybe-alright-teen-drug-use-hits-new-lows-in-ongoing-decline/