Background Despite policy changes related to the use and distribution of marijuana in cities and states across the country, few studies have examined changes in disapproval and use of marijuana among American youth. Objectives To examine trends in disapproval and use of marijuana among adolescents and young adults in the United States. Method We employ nationally representative data spanning the period of 2002–2013. Analyses are based on self-reported measurements from 105,903 younger adolescents (ages 12–14); 110,949 older adolescents (age 15–17); and 221,976 young adults (ages 18–25). Results Between 2002–2013 the proportion of adolescents ages 12–14 reporting "strong disapproval" of marijuana use initiation increased significantly from 74.4% to 78.9%. Concurrently, a significant decrease in past 12-month marijuana use (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97–0.99) was observed among younger adolescents. No significant trend was observed for marijuana use disapproval among adolescents ages 15–17 between 2002 and 2013. Yet a significant (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98–0.99) decrease in past 12-month marijuana use was observed (2002 = 26.2%, 2013 = 21.9%) among this group. Among young adults (ages 18–25), a substantial decrease—from 40.5% in 2002 to 22.6% in 2013—was observed in the proportion reporting “strong disapproval” of marijuana use initiation; however, increases in young adult past 12-month use were relatively small (Δ = 2.21) but statistically significant (OR = 1.02, 95% = 1.01–1.02). Conclusions Changes are underway in the perception and use of marijuana among American youth. However, changes differ in important ways among youth from distinct developmental subgroups.

Introduction Few, if any, studies have systematically examined the relationship between substance use and teen pregnancy using population-based samples. We aim to provide a comprehensive examination of substance use among pregnant adolescents in the United States. Method Employing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health between 2002 and 2012 (n = 97,850), we examine the prevalence of past 12-month and past 30-day substance use and substance use disorders among pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents (ages 12-17). We also examine psychosocial and pregnancy-related correlates of current substance use among the subsample of pregnant adolescents (n = 810). Results Pregnant teens were significantly more likely to have experimented with a variety of substances and meet criteria for alcohol (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.26-2.17), cannabis (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.72-3.04), and other illicit drug use disorders (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.92-4.19). Pregnant early adolescents (ages 12-14; AOR = 4.34, 95% CI = 2.28-8.26) were significantly more likely and pregnant late adolescents (ages 15-17; AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.56-0.90) significantly less likely than their non-pregnant counterparts to be current substance users. Conclusions Study findings point not only to a relationship between pregnancy and prior substance use, but also suggest that substance use continues for many teens during pregnancy. We found that substance use is particularly problematic among early adolescents that the prevalence of substance use attenuates dramatically as youth progress from the first to the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

To examine the characteristics and effects of culturally adapted substance use interventions with Latino adolescents on substance use outcomes. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analytic methods were used to synthesize effects across studies on substance use outcomes at posttest and follow-up time points. Results: Ten studies comprising 12,546 Latino adolescents met eligibility criteria. Meta-analytic results suggest positive, yet small effects on substance use outcomes at posttest and slightly larger effects at follow-up. A moderate amount of heterogeneity was observed; however, no variables tested explained the variance. The risk of bias assessment revealed that most studies were at high risk for performance and selection bias. Conclusions: Culturally adapted substance use interventions with Latino adolescents may be slightly more effective than other active interventions. We also uncovered important gaps and deficiencies in this body of research, including the need to examine potential secondary benefits of culturally adapted interventions.

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