Less than 2.3 percent of high school students report having ever injected an illegal drug.[*] But by their senior year, nearly 50 percent of all high school students will have abused an illicit drug, and 70 percent will have abused alcohol.[**]

The Learn the Link campaign uses TV, print, and Web public service announcements (PSAs), as well as posters, e-cards, and other tools to send the message to America's youth that using drugs and alcohol even once can have serious health consequences. We also work to reach parents and teachers-influential figures in the lives of young people-with the Learn the Link message. Campaign messages and materials were tested among various groups of young people, guiding the use of technology, the discussion between friends, and the importance of family.

For more information, read a message from the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dr. Nora D. Volkow.

^* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Adolescent and School Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Use, National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey: 1991-2011. (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/alcoholdrug/) Retrieved June 2012.

^** Johnston, L. D., O'Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2012). Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-2011. Volume I: Secondary school students. Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan, 760 pp. Retrieved June 2012.