The Partnership for a Drug-Free America today announced the findings from the 2008 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), which revealed remarkable, sustained declines in several drugs of abuse - notably methamphetamine (meth) - over the past several years.

According to the study, teen meth use has experienced a steep three-year drop, with past-month use down to 3 percent of teens - a significant 25 percent decline versus 2005. Teen attitudes about meth use corroborate this drop - 83 percent of teens see great risk in using meth regularly, about 85 percent see great risk in “getting hooked on meth” and more than half of teens, (54 percent) see trying meth once or twice as very risky.

Additionally, the study revealed the first major increase in the number of teens who reported “learning a lot” about the risks of drugs from their parents. The study shows that 37 percent of teens reported learning a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents, a significant 16 percent increase from the previous year and the first major increase since the inception of the study.

The study also indicates a strong correlation between increased teen exposure to anti-drug messages on television and a decreased likelihood of trying drugs over the past ten years. Four out of ten teens (41 percent) agreed that anti-drug messages made them more aware of the risks of using drugs and less likely to try drugs (42 percent).

“The strong declines in illegal use of meth and other drugs of abuse combined with the news that teens are learning a lot about drugs and alcohol at home emphasizes the power and influence of parents,” said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership. “It also underscores the continued need for strong anti-drug messages and drug-education programs to stop teens from trying meth and other drugs of abuse.”

The 20th annual national study of 6,518 teens in grades 7-12 is nationally projectable with a +/- 1.6 percent margin of error. PATS Teens 2008 was conducted in private, public and parochial schools for the Partnership by the Roper Public Affairs Division of GfK Custom Research. For more information and the full PATS Teens Report visit www.drugfree.org.