National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week allows scientists, students, teachers, healthcare providers, and community partners to come together to make scientific advancements and bring awareness towards youth drug and alcohol use nationwide.
According to a Washington Post article dated 2/17/24, a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that most teens who use drugs are searching for calm and hoping to relieve stress. Of the almost 16,000 youth ages 13 to 18 who were evaluated between 2014 and 2022, mental health issues were often the initiating factor in substance misuse. (Read the full Washington Post article here “Stress is driving teens’ drug use, new federal study suggests”).
The report showed:
73% of adolescents reported using drugs and alcohol to “feel mellow, calm, or relaxed.”
50% said they did so “to have fun or experiment.”
44% reported using drugs to stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories.
40% said they used to help with depression or anxiety.
Respondents were allowed to select more then one option.
Since 2010, National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) has been held annually to create a dialogue regarding the dangers of addiction among young people. For more information on NDAFW go to
Additional resources: Facts About Teen Drinking is a website for teens created by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). https://niaaaforteens.niaaa.nih.gov/
