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2021 Substance Use Decreases
In 2021, substance use decreased significantly. Between 2013-2019 use rates had remained stable. The precise reason for these decreases is not clear; whether related to social distancing with COVID-19, drug availability, family involvement, differences in peer interactions, or other factors, additional efforts will need to be done to understand these changes, utilizing findings to inform future prevention efforts. Similar decreases were noted in national surveys, as well.
Substance Use Trends
High School Trends for Substance Use - 2015-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: No statistically significant differences were noted between 2015-2019.
All substance use showed a decrease in 2021.
The survey question related to prescription (Rx) drugs had a language change in 2017 to specify pain medications which may have impacted responses.
Middle School Trends for Substance Use - 2015-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: Although the estimates decreased for substance use in 2021 for middle school,
these changes were not statistically significant.
An item about vaping in the past 30 days was added in 2019.
Pain Meds without Rx in the Past 30 Days is not available for Middle School.
High School Substance Use Estimates
High School Substance Use Estimates - 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Middle School Substance Use Estimates
Middle School Substance Use Estimates - 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note:
Pain Meds without Rx in the Past 30 Days not available for Middle School
Co-Occurring Use in High School
High School Co-Occurring Substance Use - 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Substance Use by 12th Grade
Percent of High School 30-Day Substance Use Estimates by12th Grade - 2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: Although substance use estimates dropped in 2021, substance use increases by 12th grade, except for using pain medications without a Rx.
In 2021, more 9th graders used pain meds than 12th graders.
The survey question related prescription drugs had a language change in 2017 to specify pain medications and may have impacted responses.
Use Before Age 13
Percent of High School Students That Tried These Substances Before Age 13 - 2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: Substance use prior to age 13 can be a risk factor for future use and other risk factors.
There was no change in these estimates between 2017 to 2021 for alcohol and marijuana.
The question about vaping before age 13 was added in 2019 and saw an increase by 2021.
Method of Use for Marijuana
Method of Use Among Students Who Used Marijuana (MJ) in the Past 30 Days -
2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Of the youth who used marijuana:
Students Who Used Marijuana (MJ) in the Past 30 Days and Usually Got it from an Adult -
2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Of the youth who used marijuana:
Access to Marijuana
Of Youth who Used Marijuana, the Place They Usually Got it - 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: This item was removed in 2021.
Location of Alcohol Use
Of Youth who Drank, Where They Usually Drank Alcohol - 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: This item was removed in 2021.
Access to Alcohol
Of Youth who Drank, The Place They Usually Got it - 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: This item was removed in 2021.
Use on School Property
Of All Students, How Often They Used Alcohol or Drugs, such as Marijuana, Just Before or While Attending School
- 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Note: This item was removed in 2021.
Important Note:
When it comes to interpreting data and health disparities regarding race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, it’s important not to misinterpret or create unintended consequences like perpetuating negative stereotypes and victim-blaming. Many of the differences between populations are the result of long-standing systemic injustice has created conditions that negatively affect certain communities, particularly people of color and LGBTQIA+ youth.
In 2021, demographic items were modified, therefore the trend data for race/ethnicity is not being
utilized for this analysis.
Alcohol by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - 2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In 2017-2021, youth who identified as bisexual were more likely to use ALCOHOL compared to heterosexual youth.
In previous years, youth who identify as transgender were also statistically more likely to currently use ALCOHOL. This changed in 2021.
Alcohol by Race and Ethnicity - 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In 2021, youth who identified as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, East/Southeast Asian, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and South Asian were less likely to use ALCOHOL than White youth.
Marijuana by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - 2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In 2017-2021, youth who identified as bisexual and/or gay or lesbian were statistically more likely to currently use MARIJUANA compared to youth who identify as heterosexual. In previous years, youth who identified as transgender were also more likely to use. Marijuana use decreased across all populations in 2021.
Marijuana by Race and Ethnicity - 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In 2021, youth who identified as Multi-Racial were statistically more likely to currently use MARIJUANA and youth who identify as South Asian or East/Southeast Asian were less likely to use compared to youth who identify as White.
Vaping by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - 2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In 2021, youth who identified as bisexual and those who identified as gay or lesbian were more likely to VAPE than heterosexual youth. In previous year, youth who identified as transgender were also statistically more likely to currently VAPE.
Vaping by Race and Ethnicity- 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In previous years, youth who identified as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and youth who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native were statistically more likely to currently VAPE, however those estimates dropped in 2021 and there is no difference in use compared to White youth. Youth who identify as Black/African American and those who identify as East/Southeast Asian or South Asian were statistically less like to currently VAPE compared to those who identify as White.
Prescription Misuse by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity -2019 and 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In 2021, youth who identify as transgender, bisexual, and gay/lesbian were statistically more likely to currently take PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICINE without a doctor's prescription compared to youth who identify as cisgender or heterosexual.
Prescription Misuse by Race and Ethnicity - 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
Youth who identify as Multi-Racial were statistically more likely to currently take PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICINE without a doctor's prescription compared to White youth.
Note: The confidence interval for Middle Eastern/North African/Arab shows no significant difference for that population - 95% CI (2.6%-20.8%)
Substance Use by Sex - 2017-2021 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey
In 2021, youth who identify as female were more likely than males to have used ALCOHOL, VAPED, and USED PAIN MEDS w/o Rx in the past 30 days.
In 2019, youth who identify as female were more likely than males to have used ALCOHOL in the past 30 days. There were no significant differences for other substances.
In 2017, youth who identify as female were more likely than males to have used ALCOHOL in the past 30 days. There were no significant differences for other substances.
Student Illicit Drug Use* Decreases - Monitoring the Future Survey 2021
*Illicit drug use in this survey is defined as use of marijuana, LSD, other hallucinogens, crack, other cocaine, or heroin; or any use of narcotics other than heroin, amphetamines, sedatives, or tranquilizers not under a doctor's orders.
Monitoring the Future is a national survey and was administered in Spring 2021.
This annual survey also showed decreases in substances use at a national level.
The percentage of adolescents reporting substance use decreased significantly in 2021, representing the largest one-year decrease in overall illicit drug use reported since the survey began in 1975.
Substance Use Dependance and Treatment - National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2019-2020
Teens ages 12-17 reporting ALCOHOL and DRUG (including marijuana) dependance or needing treatment but not receiving it. Illicit drugs included the misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics or the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.
Health Behaviors - National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2019-2020
Teens ages 12-17 reporting on health behaviors
Note: These differ from Healthy Kids Colorado Survey due to different methodology and age ranges utilized for estimates.
Summary:
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance.
Substance use trends have remained stable between 2015-2019 and decreased in 2021.
Some populations may be impacted by inequities and this is reflected in the findings. Often, the dominant culture may make assumptions about which populations are utilizing substances.
The combination of alcohol use and vaping together was most common.
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