SAMHSA Says Fewer Adolescents Exposed to Drug Prevention Messages

A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that fewer adolescents are being exposed to substance-use prevention messages or participating in out-of-school prevention programs.

On the other hand, more adolescents said they talked to at least one parent about alcohol and other drugs, the survey found. The population of adolescents engaging with at least one parent about substance abuse-related topics increased to 59.6 percent in 2007 (from 58.1 percent in 2002).

Those who had such conversations with their parents were significantly less likely to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, researchers found.

The report, Exposure to Substance Use Prevention Messages and Substance Use Among Adolescents: 2002 to 2007, was based on national surveys of adolescents ages 12-17. The report shows that the population of adolescents exposed to prevention messages dropped from 83.2 percent in 2002 to 77.9 percent in 2007. Adolescent participation in out-of-school prevention programs fell from 12.7 percent in 2002 to 11.3 percent in 2007.