New survey data shows a concerning rise in teen substance abuse in Illinois, including the impact of online alcohol delivery and marijuana trends among Illinois teens in the 2024 Youth Survey.
CHAMPAIGN - A new report on youth substance use in Illinois paints a sobering picture of emerging trends and longstanding challenges as more adolescents experiment with drugs and alcohol—and in some cases, suffer serious consequences. The 2024 Illinois Youth Survey (IYS), released this spring, revealed that while overall youth substance use has not spiked dramatically, troubling new behaviors and increased accessibility are raising red flags for parents, educators, and policymakers alike.
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Among the most startling findings: Illinois teens are drinking at nearly double the national rate. Thirteen percent of Illinois youth reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days, compared with just 6.9% nationally. The data, collected by the Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, also showed a growing number of youth engaging in binge drinking, acquiring substances online, or misusing prescription drugs. The IYS, a biennial self-report survey first administered in 1993, is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services and designed to provide both local-level insights and a scientific estimate of health and social behaviors statewide. It surveys eighth, 10th, and 12th graders on a wide range of issues including bullying, school climate, and substance use. This year’s sample included responses from more than 10,490 students. Doug Smith, CPRD director and a professor of social work at the University of Illinois, said one unexpected pattern to emerge was teens acquiring liquor through home delivery services.
Clinicians are seeing an uptick in cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome—a condition tied to heavy cannabis use that causes extreme nausea and vomiting.
“This is a newer trend that started when retailers moved to online delivery during the pandemic,” Smith told the University of Illinois News Bureau. “It may be time to think about what regulatory approaches, if any, are needed to prevent kids from ordering alcohol online.” Substance access is also a concern when it comes to marijuana, especially highly potent products such as edibles. Among surveyed students, 1% of eighth graders, 3% of 10th graders, and 5% of 12th graders reported using cannabis 20 or more times a month. The risks of cannabis products among children were underscored just last month when a 14-year-old was arrested at Urbana Middle School for possessing more than 500 grams of cannabis-infused edibles. Urbana police reported that the child may have been attempting to distribute the edibles, and that another student required medical attention after ingesting one. Experts note these products often contain THC levels up to six times the adult dosage, making them particularly harmful to young users. Smith said clinicians are seeing an uptick in cases of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome—a condition tied to heavy cannabis use that causes extreme nausea and vomiting. “We’re getting increasing reports of teens experiencing cyclical vomiting syndrome,” he said. “It’s something we didn’t talk much about even five years ago.” The IYS data also highlighted the continued presence of more dangerous narcotics among youth. While fewer students reported using illicit drugs like heroin or LSD—just 1% of eighth and 10th graders and 2% of 12th graders—these numbers still translate to thousands of teens across the state. Prescription drug misuse was also flagged, with some students reporting using medications not prescribed to them. Many students acknowledged that their substance use was not without consequences. Fourteen percent of 12th graders and 8% of sophomores said their use had led to fights, injuries, or poor academic performance. Ten percent of seniors and 6% of sophomores reported experiencing blackouts. Others admitted to riding with or driving under the influence—11% of seniors and 6% of sophomores.
The reality of addiction has already touched some students. About 5% of high school sophomores and seniors said they were in recovery from a substance use problem.
In terms of perception, many teens seem to underestimate the risks of regular alcohol or marijuana use. While most students viewed daily cigarette smoking as dangerous, far fewer expressed concern over marijuana or moderate drinking. Only 61% of seniors thought using marijuana once or twice a week was harmful. And when asked about daily alcohol use, 21% of eighth graders and nearly one in five high schoolers saw little or no risk in having one or two drinks a day. Still, the survey also found encouraging signs: More than 90% of students reported that their parents or guardians had talked to them about substance use in the past year, and a similar percentage said their families had clear rules around these behaviors.
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Despite these preventative conversations, the reality of addiction has already touched some students. About 5% of high school sophomores and seniors said they were in recovery from a substance use problem. Smith noted this seemingly small percentage represents thousands of young people in Illinois who might benefit from alternative education options like recovery high schools, which offer a structured environment for students overcoming addiction. While Illinois currently has no such schools, other states have implemented them with promising results. “This data tells a much bigger story than just who’s using what,” Smith said. “It’s about the environments young people are navigating, the access they have to substances, and the types of supports they need to move toward healthier choices.” The survey’s findings underscore the need for continued investment in prevention, education, and recovery programs for youth. The research was supported by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery through funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
