Youth Drug Abuse Stats Rise in New York

According to a recent survey of over 3,000 students in Steuben County, New York, the incidence of drug abuse among youth surveyed was higher than the national average.

The Steuben County Drug-Free Communities Coordinator presented to the findings to the local school board.

Binge drinking was a major problem. Nearly 10% of all eighth graders and nearly 20% of all tenth graders reported binge drinking within the past thirty days. These are 14 and 16-year-old students in a state where the legal age to drink is 21.

Nearly one-third of all tenth graders reported using marijuana at some point in their lives and almost 15% of all eighth graders reported the same.

Binge drinking and marijuana smoking were actually more prevalent than cigarette smoking among New York youth.

These statistics came as a shock to the school board president and other local officials, but they probably shouldn’t have. A massive amount of public funding has gone into the anti-cigarette campaign and the results show in these survey results. However, there’s also massive funding by alcohol manufacturers to portray the drug in a positive light. Very little funding or effort is put into anti-alcohol and anti-marijuana campaigns.

New York youth are getting the message that marijuana and alcohol are acceptable, to the point that nearly one-third are regularly illegally abusing these substances. Something has to be done to provide drug abuse solutions for these youth.

If you or your loved one is having trouble with substance dependence and looking for an upstate New York drug rehab, we can help. Our program has helped many New York residents live a drug-free life. Call our hotline at 1-877-862-4326.