Sharon Cargo

Sharon Cargo reports in the following viewpoint that teenage drug and alcohol abuse has begun to level off. According to Cargo, the slowdown in rates of adolescent substance abuse reflects an increased disapproval of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco among teens. Cargo is a contributing writer for NIDA Notes,a publication of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the 1997 survey cited by Cargo, what are the general trends in drug use among eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders?
2. What recent trends in teen alcohol use does the author report?
3. What evidence does the author provide that teen attitudes about drug use, frequent drinking, and cigarette smoking are changing"

Rates of increase in illicit drug use among the Nation’s high school students showed some signs of slowing...