Trends in prevalence of illicit drug use, reported by U.S. high school seniors from the mid-1970s to 2010: Contrary to our stereotypes, only 2 in 5 U.S. high school seniors reports using any illicit drugs (including alcohol) over the past year. Notice also that drug use was actually somewhat more common during the late 1970s and early 1980s—among the parents of today’s teens, during their own adolescence.

Data from: Johnston and others, 2011.