Marijuana use among American young people is down but use of the amphetamine Ecstasy is up, says a nationwide survey of 7,290 teenagers conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

The annual study released November 27 found that since 1997 the percentage of teenagers who say they have tried marijuana at least once has fallen from 44 to 40 percent. One-time use of the so-called “recreational drug” Ecstasy, however, has increased five percent in the past five years, to 10 percent of teenagers.  One-time trial use of drugs among teenagers over all categories is down to 48 percent, a five percent decrease since 1997.

Dr. DeWitt Williams, health director for the Adventist Church in North America, says any decrease is welcome, no matter how small.  “We will continue our efforts as a church in drug education among young people,” he says. “But we believe that perhaps one of the best ways we can arm young people against the danger of drugs is to instill in them a sense of belonging, in their homes, their schools, and their churches.”

Williams adds that, “A crackdown on the legal, or gateway drugs, like alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine would contribute significantly to the drop in drug use by young people as well.”