"• Availability of alcohol among 12th grade students decreased by seven points to 74% in 2024, a record low. Availability declined after the pandemic onset in 2021 to 77%, increased by two points a year in 2022 and 2023, and then dropped to the record low in 2024 (Tables 9-9 through 9-11 and Figure 9-5a). Alcohol has long been the substance with the highest level of availability, with many students gaining access through their parents’ liquor cabinets.
"More substantial changes in the perceived availability of alcohol have taken place among 8th and 10th graders. For 8th graders, availability declined from 76% in 1992 to 40% in 2024, a historic low. The estimates in 2021 and afterwards were lowered in part by a survey mode effect in which estimates based on electronic data collection were about seven points lower than estimates based on paper-and-pencil surveys (compare columns ‘2019p’ and ‘2019e’ in Table 9-9). Nevertheless, even after adjusting the 2024 estimate by adding seven points to it, the resulting level of 47% is the lowest recorded for this measure over the life of the survey and substantially lower than the 76% level in 1992. For 10th graders, availability is down from the peak level of 90% in 1996 to 51% in 2024, which is the lowest level recorded over the life of the survey (there was no significant mode effect in 2019 for 10th graders). This may reflect some success in state and local efforts to reduce access by those who are under age, as well as a decline in the number of friends who use alcohol. It is worth noting, however, that even after these declines, alcohol remains available to a great many teens."
Miech, R. A., Johnston, L. D., Patrick, M. E., & O'Malley, P. M. (2025). Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975–2024: Overview and detailed results for secondary school students. Monitoring the Future Monograph Series. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.
