Teen heroin and cocaine use has spiked significantly in 2025, raising alarms about deadly substances infiltrating America’s youth while other drug use remains at historic lows.
Story Snapshot
- Heroin use among high school seniors quadrupled from 0.2% to 0.9% in just one year
- Cocaine usage increased by 56% among 12th graders, rising from 0.9% to 1.4%
- These deadly drugs pose extreme overdose risks, especially with fentanyl contamination
- Overall teen substance use remains at 51-year historic lows for alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco
- 91% of eighth graders abstained from marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine in the past month
Alarming Rise in Deadly Substances
The 2025 Monitoring the Future survey reveals a troubling development among American teenagers. While heroin use among 12th graders jumped from 0.2% to 0.9%, cocaine usage climbed from 0.9% to 1.4%. These increases represent significant statistical jumps in substances known for their extreme lethality and addiction potential. University of Michigan researcher Richard Miech emphasized these rises “warrant close monitoring” despite remaining below historical peaks from decades past.
Historic Low Usage Masks Growing Danger
The National Institutes of Health-funded study surveyed 23,726 students across 270 schools from February through June 2025. Results show 66% of high school seniors abstained from alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine in the past 30 days. Additionally, 91% of eighth graders maintained complete abstinence from these substances. These figures represent the fifth consecutive year of sustained lows since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted typical teenage social patterns and drug availability.
Teens are drinking and smoking less — but more are using these 2 highly dangerous drugs https://t.co/zwZaVGHT1b pic.twitter.com/ThFIyAeual
— New York Post (@nypost) December 21, 2025
Fentanyl Contamination Amplifies Risk
The rise in heroin and cocaine usage becomes particularly concerning given widespread fentanyl contamination in illegal drug supplies. These substances carry extreme overdose risks that can prove fatal on first use. While the percentages appear small, they represent thousands of American teenagers experimenting with potentially lethal substances. The Trump administration must prioritize border security and drug interdiction efforts to prevent these deadly substances from reaching our children.
Success Story Threatened by Border Crisis
Truth Initiative CEO Kathy Crosby acknowledged the encouraging overall trends while urging continued vigilance. The sustained low usage rates across most substances demonstrate successful prevention efforts initiated during the pandemic. However, the uptick in the most dangerous drugs highlights ongoing challenges with illegal drug trafficking across our southern border. Strong enforcement and family-centered prevention programs remain essential to protecting American youth from these deadly substances.
Parents and communities must remain vigilant about these emerging threats while celebrating the overall success in reducing teen substance abuse. The data underscores the importance of continued monitoring and prevention efforts targeting the most dangerous substances infiltrating our schools.
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Sources:
Reported Use of Most Drugs Remains Low Among U.S. Teens
Federal Data Show Encouraging Youth Substance Use Trends While Underscoring Need for Continued Progress
Teen Drug Use Hits Record Low
Reported Use of Most Drugs Remains Low Among U.S. Teens
