School’s out and the living is easy for teens come summertime, but a new government study suggests it’s also dangerous, as the rates of first-time substance use among 12- to 17-year-olds peak in June and July.
On an average day in these two summer months, approximately 11,000 adolescents use alcohol for the first time, 5,000 try their first cigarette, and 4,500 begin using marijuana, according to a report released June 3 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The report is based on interviews with 231,500 adolescents in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) during 2002-2010.
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The rates of first-time substance use, including marijuana use, among 12- to 17-year-olds peak in June and July.
The daily average rates for first-time alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use during the rest of the year are 5,000-8,000 for first-time alcohol use and 3,000-4,000 each for first-time cigarette and marijuana use, according to the report, titled "Monthly Variation in Substance Use Initiation among Adolescents."
First-time hallucinogen use also peaked in June and July, with a daily average rate of 1,500 new users per day, compared with 1,100-1,400 in other months. Inhalant initiation peaked in July specifically, with a daily average rate of 1,800 new users in that month, compared with 1,100-1,700 during the rest of the year, according to the report. No similar summer-month increases were observed in the use of cocaine or nonmedical prescription drugs.
The summer peaks of first-time use of many of the substances are likely associated with the increased idle time and decreased responsibilities and adult supervision during breaks from school, "although initiation of substance use can occur at any time," the authors wrote, noting that multiple implications can be drawn from the findings. For example, intensifying public service announcements and media campaigns targeting adolescents during the summer months may amplify their impact. "Messages focusing on preventing initiation may be particularly important during these months," they wrote.
Additionally, "the findings may point toward critical opportunities during the summer to implement activities and events that are attractive alternatives to drug use initiation or continued use," particularly in communities with limited prevention resources, according to the authors. From a law-enforcement perspective, targeted efforts toward preventing tobacco and alcohol sales to minors may be more effective during the peak initiation months.
The NSDUH is an annual nationwide survey involving interviews with approximately 70,000 randomly selected individuals aged 12 years and older. Respondents who report using various substances are asked to indicate the year and month of first use of each substance. The current report focused specifically on individuals who reported initiation in the use of substances within the year prior to the survey and who were 12-17 years old at the time of initiation, according to the authors.
The annual first-time substance use averages among adolescents surveyed from 2002 to 2010 were 2.9 million for alcohol (7,800 new users per day); 1.4 million for cigarettes (3,800 new users per day); 1.3 million for cigars (3,600 new users per day); 600,000 for smokeless tobacco (1,700 new users per day); 1.4 million for marijuana (3,700 new users per day); 900,000 for nonmedical prescription-type drugs (2,500 new pain reliever users per day, 900 new tranquilizer users per day, 800 new stimulant users per day, 200 new sedative users per day); 600,000 for inhalants (1,500 new users per day); 500,000 for hallucinogens (1,400 new users per day); and 300,000 for cocaine (800 new users per day).
No conflicts of interest were disclosed.