Current Youth Substance Use Trends: What Youth-Serving Organizations Should Know

Youth-serving organizations play a critical role in prevention, early intervention, and youth well-being. Staying informed about current substance use trends helps staff, leaders, and volunteers respond effectively, reinforce protective factors, and support young people before risky behaviors escalate.

The good news: most youth are not regularly using substances. The challenge: emerging products and uneven risk across populations require thoughtful, informed action.

The Big Picture

Recent national and international data show that:

• Overall, youth substance use is lower than in past decades

• Abstinence rates are high, especially among younger adolescents

• Risk is not evenly distributed—some youth face higher exposure due to stress, trauma, or limited supervision

• Vaping and high-nicotine products remain the most pressing concern

For youth-serving organizations, this means prevention efforts are working—but they must evolve with changing trends.

Alcohol: Still Common, but Declining

Alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among adolescents, yet overall use has declined steadily over time.

• Fewer teens report drinking compared to previous generations

• Binge drinking has decreased

• First use often occurs in social or unsupervised environments

What this means for programs: Structured, supervised activities and clear expectations around substance-free spaces continue to be powerful protective factors.

Nicotine & Vaping: The Primary Prevention Priority

Traditional cigarette use among youth is now at historic lows. However, nicotine use has not disappeared—it has changed form.

• E-cigarettes are the most commonly used nicotine products

• Disposable and flavored vapes are especially popular

• Nicotine pouches and other emerging products are gaining attention

Nicotine exposure during adolescence can affect brain development, attention, and impulse control.

Program implication: Youth need clear, factual information that “smoke-free” does not mean risk-free.

Cannabis: Stable but Still Relevant

Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit substance among youth, though recent data show use is generally stable or declining.

• Most youth do not use cannabis regularly

• Perception of harm varies widely by age and peer group

• Earlier and more frequent use is linked to learning and mental health challenges

Prevention focus: Correct misinformation and emphasize developmental impacts without using scare tactics.

Other Substances: Low Prevalence, High Risk

Use of substances such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine remains rare among adolescents. Prescription drug misuse has also declined from past highs.

However:

• Fentanyl contamination presents a serious safety risk

• Youth may unknowingly encounter fentanyl through counterfeit pills or shared substances

Key message for youth: One unknown pill or substance can be life-threatening.

Protective Factors: Youth-Serving Organizations Strengthen

Research consistently shows that strong protective factors reduce the likelihood of substance use. Youth-serving organizations help build these every day by providing:

• Positive, trusted adult relationships

• Safe and supervised environments

• Opportunities for leadership, skill-building, and belonging

• Clear norms and expectations around substance use

• Support for mental and emotional well-being

These factors are among the strongest predictors of healthy outcomes.

What Youth-Serving Organizations Can Do

To respond effectively to current trends:

• Use evidence-based prevention programming

• Train staff to recognize early warning signs

• Communicate using non-judgmental, trauma-informed language

• Engage families and caregivers as partners

• Maintain clear, consistently enforced substance-free policies

• Build referral pathways to mental health and support services

Conclusion

Youth substance use trends today reflect both progress and new challenges. While many young people are choosing not to use substances, emerging products and uneven risks require informed, proactive responses. Youth-serving organizations are uniquely positioned to reinforce positive norms, strengthen protective factors, and ensure young people have the support they need to thrive. Illinois Regional Substance Use Prevention Integration Centers (RSUPIC) can help! https://www.preventionintegrationcenter.org/contact

References

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Monitoring the Future Survey

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• World Health Organization (WHO), Adolescent Substance Use Reports

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Youth Risk Behavior Data