Status: Getting worse
Most Recent Data:
27.8
percent
(2019)
Target:
16.1
percent
Desired Direction:
Decrease desired
Baseline:
23.1
percent of sexual minority students in grades 9 through 12 reported that they had ever used illicit drugs in their lifetime in 2017
Reduce proportion of sexual minority (lesbian, gay, or bisexual) high school students who have ever used illicit drugs in their lifetime
Summary
High school students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are almost twice as likely to use illicit drugs as those who identify as heterosexual. Using illicit drugs is linked to risky sexual behaviors, violence, health issues, and problems in school. Interventions to increase family acceptance of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents can help reduce the rate of illicit drug use in this group.
Topics: LGBT, Adolescents , Drug and Alcohol Use
