This number will not change dramatically in the next 5 years. That means 1,653 eighth-graders in a typical district would be using illegal drugs. Nation wide this accounts for 719,055 eighth graders in the US who will use illegal drugs in each eighth-grade year. Here are some additional items to think about. Alcohol is the second leading cause of death in our nation claiming more than 100,000 lives a year.
Adolescents are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal, alcohol-related crash than adults.
Nicotine is the leading cause of preventable death in our nation. Each day another 3000 kids will begin smoking. One third will probably have their life shortened as a result. Children who smoke cigarettes are 5.9 times more likely to use illegal drugs. Today, one in ten of our children ages 12-17 are using illegal drugs.