First Time Use of Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drugs by Youth
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that on an average day in 2006, US youth used the following substances for the first time:
- 7,970 drank alcohol
- 4,348 used an illicit drug
- 4,082 smoked cigarettes
- 3,577 used marijuana
- 2,517 used pain relievers non-medically
Counselors may wish to access a practical guide to prevention strategies in each of these areas created by SAMHSA, including a comprehensive list of print and electronic resources, that is posted on the agency web site.