Healthy Youth Survey presenters tell LCB youth substance use remains low; cautions about trend interpretation

Sarah Mariani, section manager at the Health Care Authority responsible for substance use disorder prevention and mental health promotion, told the caucus that "substance use rates remain low since a substantial drop that we saw first in 2021," while urging caution about trend interpretation because of a 2020 methodology change.

Mariani said preliminary 2025 results for 10th graders show past-30-day substance-use rates "span from about 5 to 7 percent" with less than 2 percent reporting cigarette use. She told the board these 30-day rates are lower than comparable national results and stressed that until the HYS has at least four comparable data points analysts are reluctant to confirm statistical trends.

The presenters emphasized that the HYS presentation to LCB focused on substance- and policy-related items and on 10th-grade results because that cohort typically yields the highest response rates. Mariani also highlighted mental-health measures, noting decreases in anxiety and depression indicators among 10th graders since 2023 while suicide indicators remained steady.

Mariani and Kristen Haley both stressed that the survey results should be interpreted alongside LCB compliance data and local reports to form a fuller picture. "Most 10th graders say that they have never used these substances in their lifetime," Mariani said, adding that caregivers and community prevention programs frequently misperceive peer use rates and that correcting social norms can be protective for youth.