A new study from UC San Diego found that a higher proportion of female participants reported using substances than male participants.
The study started 10 years ago. Researchers observed 2,000 kids from when they were nine or 10 years old into their teenage years. They studied the kids on their substance use, including drugs, alcohol, and nicotine, and found that the substance use rose as the teens aged.
Researcher Dr. Ryan Sullivan found that their cohort went against traditional reports, often where boys have led the numbers.
“After age 13, we observed a higher proportion of our female participants reporting use relative to our male participants,” said Sullivan. “More of our girl participants are reporting polysubstance use relative to our boy participants.”
He said that this is primarily nicotine use by vaping. Overall, 38% of the cohort reported lifetime use of substances by 16 years old.
In general, however, substance abuse or use among adolescents and teens has declined over the decades, according to Sullivan.
This is an ongoing study.
Follow KNX News 1070 AM
