Although some surveys suggest that drug use in teens has decreased since 2001, the numbers are still quite high. Over 17% of high school students admit use of illegal drugs within one month of when they were asked and more than 40% of those over 12 years old say that they have tried an illegal substance at least once.

Some signs of possible drug use include:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Persistent cough
• Pupils of eyes extremely big (dilated) or extremely small (pinpoint); nystagmus (rapid eye motion) might be a sign of PCP abuse
• Loss of appetite (occurs with amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine use)
• Increased appetite (with marijuana use)
• Sluggishness, listlessness, or constant sleeping (opiate drugs such as heroine, codeine; or may occur when coming down off stimulant drugs)
• Hyperactivity (as seen with "uppers" such as cocaine, methamphetamine)
• Poor school performance and increased school absenteeism
• Withdrawal from family and extracurricular activities
• Change in group of friends
• Unusual odor on breath (inhalant drugs)
• Secretive behavior
• Lying or stealing
• Slow or slurred speech (downers and depressants)
• Rapid, explosive speech (uppers)
• Unsteady gait (ataxia)

Early intervention may decrease the likelihood that drug use will continue in this population.

See: Drug abuse and dependence and drug abuse

Jenkins RR, Adger H. Substance abuse. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 113.

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Preventing drug use among children and adolescents. NIH Publication No. 04-4212(B). 1997. Revised October 2003.