Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that on an average day in 2006:
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Nearly 50,000 adolescents used inhalants;
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Nearly 27,000 adolescents used hallucinogens;
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Nearly 13,000 used cocaine;
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Nearly 3,800 used heroin;
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Nearly 8,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17 drank alcohol for the first time;
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Approximately 4,300 adolescents used an illicit drug for the first time;
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Around 4,000 adolescents smoked cigarettes for the first time;
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Nearly 3,600 adolescents used marijuana for the first time; and
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Approximately 2,500 adolescents abused pain relievers for the first time.
The 'good news' in this study was that fewer adolescents are using illicit drugs than in 2002.
All of a sudden, an average day doesn't seem so average anymore!
