Drug and Alcohol Statistics

Direction Survey’s 2016 Drugs and Alcohol categories reveal 89% of middle school students report understanding the dangers of the use of alcohol and drugs. In the past 30 days, 5% of middle school students report being offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school property. Additionally, 5% of students report in the Alcohol category having at least one drink of alcohol in the past 30 days.

92% of high school students in the Drugs category report an understanding of the dangers of the use of alcohol and drugs. 12% of high school students are reporting marijuana use at least once in the past 30 days, and 20% have been offered, sold or given illegal drugs on school property. 18% of respondents in the Alcohol category have had at least one drink in the last 30 days. There are currently few questions seeking feedback from either age groups about specific drugs other than marijuana being used by schools in the database.

Direction Survey’s “Meaningful Participation” data reveals that 68% of high school students report they participate in activities that make a difference in the lives of others around them. 93% of surveyed middle school students report the activities they participate in make the school and community a better place. As the data continues to tell us that 5% and 20% of students are being sold or offered drugs at school, in-school efforts at addressing these occurrences are critical. Creating connections between students’ understanding of the dangers of drug and alcohol use, and their interest in participating in meaningful activities that serve their communities can be key in drug and alcohol prevention and early intervention efforts.