LIFETIME DRUG USE TRENDS: HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: 1975-1996

DRUG	Year of Highest Use (%)	Year of Lowest Use (%)	1997 Use (%)	Current (1998) Use (%)	1997-1998 % Change
Any Illicit Drug	1981 (65.4)	1992 (40.7)	54.3	54.1	-0.2
Cannabis	1979 (60.4)	1992 (32.6)	49.6	49.1	-0.5
Cocaine	1985 (17.3)	1994 (5.9)	8.7	9.3	+0.6
Inhalants1	1990 (18.0)	1976 (10.3)	16.1	15.2	-0.9
Hallucinogens	1975 (16.3)	1988 (8.9)	15.1	14.1	-1.0
PCP2	1979 (12.8)	1992 (2.4)	3.9	3.9	no change
Stimulants3 Crystal Meth4	1981 (32.2) 1998 ( 5.3)	1992 (13.9) 1990 (2.7)	16.5 4.4	16.4 5.3	-0.1 +0.9
Heroin	1975 ( 2.2)	1991 (0.9)	2.1	2.0	-0.1
Alcohol	1980 (93.2)	1993 (80.0)	81.7	81.4	-0.3
Barbiturates	1975 (16.9)	1992 (5.5)	8.1	8.7	+0.6
Tranquilizers	1977 (18.0)	1992 (6.0)	7.8	8.5	+0.7

SOURCE: "Monitoring the Future Study", Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 1998.

¹ Data based on four of five forms in 1976-88; N is four-fifths of N indicated. Data based on five of six forms in 1989-98; N is five-sixths of N indicated.

² A specific question regarding PCP has only been included in the survey since 1979. Data based on one form; N is one-fifth of N indicated in 1979-88 and one-sixth of N indicated in 1989-98. Question text changed slightly in 1987.

³ Beginning in 1982 the question about stimulant use (i.e., amphetamines) was revised to get respondents to exclude the inappropriate reporting of non-prescription stimulants. The prevalence rate dropped slightly as a result of this methodological change. Only drug use which was not under a doctor's orders is included here.

⁴ A specific question regarding methamphetamine has only been included in the survey since 1990.