Survey Finds 1 in 3 Teens See Little Risk in Trying Meth

A new nationwide survey examining the attitudes and perceptions that teens have about methamphetamine use found that while the majority see some risk in trying meth once or twice, 33 percent see only a slight or no risk in trying the drug.

The 2007 National Meth Use & Attitudes Survey, released this week by The Meth Project, found that teen perceptions of methamphetamine use could put a significant number of them at risk of using the drug. One in three see little danger in trying meth and one in four perceive benefit in using it, including dealing with boredom and weight loss. In addition, 42 percent of respondents said their friends would not give them a hard time if they used the drug.

“These findings show that too many U.S. teens are unaware of the dangers of taking Meth," said Meth Project executive director Nitsa Zuppas. "The reality is that meth is a deadly and debilitating drug. We know if people are well informed that meth use declines dramatically.”

The Meth Project periodically conducts statewide research to better understand teen attitudes toward methamphetamine and track trends and changes over time. This is the first survey of its kind to be conducted at the national level.

The survey also asked teens about the availability of the drug, finding that nearly a quarter of teens believe meth is easy to obtain, and one in 10 have been offered the drug before.

The 2007 National Meth Use & Attitudes Survey was executed from March 16, 2007 through June 6, 2007 by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. The survey group consisted of 2,602 12-17-year-old junior and senior high school students who attend one of 43 randomly selected schools across the United States. The complete report can be obtained on the Meth Project's Web site at www.methproject.org/research.