Survey show teen drug use along the Treasure Coast has decreased since 2010

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Posted: 01/16/2013

By: Jamel Laneé

A new survey shows that teen drug use along the Treasure Coast has decreased since 2010.

The Florida Youth Substance Abuse survey is given to middle and high schoolers every spring. The survey is a collaborative effort between Florida departments of Health, Education, Children and Families, Juvenile Justice and the Governor's Office of Drug Control.

In Martin county, almost 28 percent of students drank alcohol within the past month. A decrease from 31 percent in 2010.

7 percent of students said they smoked cigarettes within the past month, compared to 11 percent a few years ago and almost 15 percent used marijuana in the past 30 days, compared to nearly 17 percent two years ago.

In Indian River county, alcohol use went down to almost 26 percent from 33 percent. Cigarette smoking decreased to 8 percent from 12 percent and marijuana use went down to 13 percent from 15 percent two years ago.

In St. Lucie county, alcohol use decreased from 30 percent two years ago to 25 percent. Smoking dropped to 5 percent. And marijuana use went down to 11 percent from 13 percent two years ago.

The survey began in 2000. In even years, the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey and the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey are taken together.