In the United States in 2011, there were an estimated 25.1 million
adolescents aged 12 to 17.1
In the past year, more than one quarter
of adolescents drank alcohol, approximately one fifth used an
illicit drug, and almost one eighth smoked cigarettes.2
Although
the percentage of adolescents using alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit
drugs declined between 2008 and 2011, the percentage of persons
aged 12 to 17 receiving substance abuse treatment remained
relatively stable.3
In addition, the number of adolescents seen in
an emergency department (ED) for the use of illicit drugs and the
misuse or abuse of pharmaceuticals remained stable from 2004 to
2011.4
In 2010, 7.3 percent of all persons admitted to publicly
funded treatment facilities were aged 12 to 17