Monitoring the Future is an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults. Each year, a total of approximately 50,000 8th, 10th and 12th grade students are surveyed (12th graders since 1975, and 8th and 10th graders since 1991).
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Lifetime prevalence of drug use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 1991-2025
Around 21 percent of U.S. respondents in grades 8, 10, and 12 in 2025 stated that they used an illicit drug within their lifetime. This represents the lowest percentage in the analyzed period. In 1997, this figure reached over 43 percent of the surveyed people.
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NIDA, & NIH. (December 15, 2025). Lifetime prevalence of use of any illicit drug for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2025 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from /statistics/208420/us-lifetime-prevalence-drug-use-grades-8-10-12-since-1991/
NIDA, und NIH. "Lifetime prevalence of use of any illicit drug for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2025." Chart. December 15, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 30, 2026. /statistics/208420/us-lifetime-prevalence-drug-use-grades-8-10-12-since-1991/
NIDA, NIH. (2025). Lifetime prevalence of use of any illicit drug for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 30, 2026. /statistics/208420/us-lifetime-prevalence-drug-use-grades-8-10-12-since-1991/
NIDA, and NIH. "Lifetime Prevalence of Use of Any Illicit Drug for Grades 8, 10, and 12 Combined from 1991 to 2025." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 15 Dec 2025, /statistics/208420/us-lifetime-prevalence-drug-use-grades-8-10-12-since-1991/
NIDA & NIH, Lifetime prevalence of use of any illicit drug for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2025 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/208420/us-lifetime-prevalence-drug-use-grades-8-10-12-since-1991/ (last visited July 30, 2026)
Lifetime prevalence of use of any illicit drug for grades 8, 10, and 12 combined from 1991 to 2025 [Graph], NIDA, & NIH, December 15, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/208420/us-lifetime-prevalence-drug-use-grades-8-10-12-since-1991/
