News & Events
Much of our work involves measuring the difference others make. Getting involved and making our own difference is also an important part of who we are as individuals and as an organization.
For the fifth year in a row, use of most substances among teenagers in the United States has continued to hover around the low-water mark reached in 2021. The findings come from the latest report of the Monitoring the Future Survey, an annual survey of drug use behaviors and attitudes among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders that has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for 51 years. The data indicates that, compared to 2024, reported use of most drugs in most grades held steady in 2025. These are some of the key findings:
- Abstaining from, or not using, marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine remained stable for all grades, with 91% of eighth graders 82% of 10th graders, and 66% of 12th graders reporting abstaining in the past 30 days.
- Alcohol use remained stable among all three grade levels, with 11% of eighth graders, 24% of 10th graders, and 41% of 12th graders reporting use in the past 12 months.
- Cannabis use remained stable among all grades, with 8% of eighth graders, 16% of 10th graders, and 26% of 12th graders reporting use in the past 12 months. Of note, 2% of 8th graders, 6% of 10th graders, and 9% of 12th graders reported use of cannabis products made from hemp, which include intoxicating products such as delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, in the past 12 months.
- Nicotine vaping remained stable among all grades, with 9% of eighth graders, 14% of 10th graders, and 20% of 12th graders reporting use in the past 12 months.
- Nicotine pouch use remained stable among all grades, with 1% of eighth graders, 3% of 10th graders, and 7% of 12th graders reporting use in the past 12 months.
- Nicotine pouch use remained stable among all grades, with 1% of eighth graders, 3% of 10th graders, and 7% of 12th graders reporting use in the past 12 months.
- Heroin use among all three grades remains low, though values increased significantly from 2024, with 0.5% of eighth graders (compared to 0.2% in 2024), 0.5% of 10th graders (compared to 0.1% in 2024), and 0.9% of 12th graders (compared to 0.2% in 2024) reporting use in the past 12 months.
- Cocaine use also remained low and stable for 10th graders, with 0.7% reporting use in the past 12 months; though values increased significantly among the other grades surveyed, with 0.6% of eighth graders (compared to 0.2% in 2024) and 1.4% of 12th graders (compared to 0.9% in 2024) reporting use in the past 12 months.
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December is designated as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, especially during the increased social gatherings of the holiday season. To help combat impaired driving, NHTSA reminds you: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different – Drive High Get a DUI. These campaigns, which run Dec. 11 through Jan. 1, aim to educate people about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. During this period, law enforcement will be stepping up patrols nationwide to get impaired drivers off the roads.
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CCR is so proud of our Elevate Youth - Voices Rising group for completing the mentor program. They have created prevention campaigns with real world implications on college campuses and beyond. The Voices Rising initiative is designed to empower young adults ages 18–26 as they step into leadership, civic engagement, and professional pathways. This mentorship program is rooted in trauma-informed care and positive youth development (PYD) principles, ensuring that every interaction with youth supports healing, growth, and self-efficacy.
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Did you know that Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest holidays for American motorists due to a rise in drunk drivers behind the wheel. In 2022, 35% of traffic fatalities during the Thanksgiving Day period involved an alcohol-impaired driver, and data from 2017-2021 shows 832 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday. CCR cares about your safety and we included a link to resources. Please use rideshare programs during this time.
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Yesterday CCR, DEA and HIDTA hosted the San Diego Red Ribbon Luncheon and Award Ceremony. The Lifetime Achievement award went to Dr. Roneet Lev, she has been a tireless proponent of prevention efforts in San Diego and the nation. Aimee Hendle with HIDTA won the Excellence in Prevention Advocacy and Vista Community Clinic- Tobacco Prevention for Outstanding Prevention Program.
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