Adolescence can be a period of vulnerability to substance abuse disorders, and many factors influence whether an adolescent explores drug use. Drug use can be part of a pattern of risky behaviors that puts a youth at risk for short and longer term health impacts.

In 2019, 19% of youth reported ever having used a drug, including tobacco or alcohol, down 8 percentage points from 2011. Use was a bit higher for females (20%) than for males (18%), based on 2018 data, the latest available. National data and subgroup data (racial and ethnic groups) were not available for this indicator.

Among Arkansas counties, the share of youth reporting in 2019 having ever used a drug ranged from 5% in Lee County to 31% in Lafayette County. (Data was not available from Calhoun, Dallas, Desha, and Prairie counties).

Data is from the Arkansas Prevention Needs Assessment, conducted by the state Division of Behavioral Health Services. The survey has been conducted annually since 2002 and is administered to Arkansas youth in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12.