The results are in for the annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) study, and it looks like drug use among teens is decreasing. This study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), tracks drug and alcohol use among 45,000 students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades.

The study showed the there has been a decrease in drug use, tobacco use and alcohol consumption among the participants in this study. Specifically, the use of opioids like Vicodin and OxyContin has decreased and synthetic drug use, like Spice, K-2 and Black Mamba has decreased.

Although tobacco use has decreased, teens are substituting regular cigarettes with e-cigarettes. About 20 percent of the participants reported using e-cigarette devices. They are drawn to these devices because of the flavored vapors. However, the use of these is concerning because the vapors are unregulated, and therefore could have unknown and dangerous ingredients in them.

Other concerning points in the study are that teens no longer see marijuana as dangerous and that they are getting their opioids from a relative of friend’s prescription. On a positive note, the study does state that parents can influence their children and encourage them to live healthy lifestyles.