Updated:  August 2023

“Use” of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana refers to the scope of use in the past 30 days, ranging from 1 day to 30, and “Misuse” refers to improper or unhealthy use or use by anyone under legal age.  Misuse also includes using prescription drugs in ways other than prescribed or using someone else’s prescription.

This measure represents the percent of people grade 9-12 who used of two or more substances in the last 30 days which may range from someone who had one drink and used marijuana once during the month or a daily tobacco user who had one drink, to someone who misuses multiple substances on a near daily basis.  People use frequently use multiple substances or begin using substances at a young age are most at risk of substance use disorders.  Physical dependence can occur with the regular (daily or almost daily) use of any substance, legal or illegal.

Due to changes in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, only one year of data is available.  After multi-year downward trends in current use of marijuana and alcohol, both increased from 2015 to 2017.  Cigarette use decreased from 2015 to 2017 but the tobacco question that included other forms of tobacco changed for 2017 so previous data are not comparable.   The current use of prescription drug question also changed for 2017.