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Upward Trends In Marijuana Among Youth

Last updated on Thursday, September 1, 2011

(UNDATED) - A study conducted by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at IU signals an upward trend in marijuana and smokeless tobacco use among Indiana youth.

The 2011 survey questioned about 168,000 sixth through 12th-grade public and private school students.

Researchers found 19.8 percent of Indiana high school seniors use marijuana - an increase of 0.6 percent from last year. About 13 percent of high school freshman report using marijuana - up 0.3 percent from 2010.

The survey also shows more 12th grade students are using smokeless tobacco. Since 2007, the number has grown by 4.2 percent. Another finding from the survey indicates shows that lifetime use of alcohol in grades six-12 is decreasing.

In 1993, rates of lifetime alcohol use were 37.8 percent for sixth graders and 85 percent among 12th-graders. Those rates are now at 17.4 percent and 65.4 percent, respectively.

The IPRC provides substance abuse prevention resources and services for those working with youth in schools and communities throughout Indiana. The study is funded each year by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's Division of Mental Health and Addiction.

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