America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Illicit Drug Use - Youth
Illicit Drug Use - Youth in United States
United States

Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.

How to use this page





Illicit Drug Use - Youth in depth:

Illicit Drug Use - Youth by State

Percentage of children ages 12-17 who reported using illicit drugs, including marijuana, in the past month




Illicit Drug Use - Youth Trends

Percentage of children ages 12-17 who reported using illicit drugs, including marijuana, in the past month


View All Populations

Illicit Drug Use - Youth


About Illicit Drug Use - Youth

US Value: 7.7%

Top State(s): Georgia, Mississippi, Wyoming: 5.6%

Bottom State(s): Vermont: 12.4%

Definition: Percentage of children ages 12-17 who reported using illicit drugs, including marijuana, in the past month

Data Source and Years: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2019-2020

Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2023.

Drug abuse or dependence during adolescence has a significant and lasting impact on health and well-being. Substance misuse among adolescents increases the risk of the following

  • Impaired physical and cognitive development. 
  • Other risky behaviors, such as impaired driving and unprotected sex.
  • Other health concerns in adulthood, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
  • Becoming addicted or continuing to use substances later in life.

The prevalence of illicit drug use is higher among:

  • Youth ages 16-17 compared with those ages 12-13 and 14-15. 
  • Hispanic youth compared with non-Hispanic Asian youth.
  • Youth who experienced a major depressive episode in the last year compared with youth who did not.

Non-medical drug use can be prevented and treated. The National Institute on Drug Abuse lists 16 principles for choosing and implementing substance abuse prevention programs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has evidence-based programs and resources for parents, schools and primary care doctors, many of them focusing on children and adolescents.

When prevention is no longer an option, there are evidence-based treatment programs. Treatment often requires lifelong management. SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator can help individuals find state-licensed providers that specialize in substance use disorders, and their Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center also shares guidance and strategies for treatment facilities or medical practitioners that provide substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Healthy People 2030 has several objectives to reduce illicit drug use among youth, including reducing the proportion of adolescents who used drugs in the past month and reducing the proportion of adolescents who drank alcohol in the past month.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt35325/NSDUHFFRPDFWHTMLFiles2020/2020NSDUHFFR1PDFW102121.pdf.

Current Reports

America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.

We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.