Rhode Island's middle and high school students reported drinking, smoking and vaping less often than they did two years ago, according to the latest Rhode Island Student Survey, released Wednesday, Oct. 28, by the state's behavioral health agency and reported by Rhode Island Current1.
Among high school students, lifetime use of smoked or vaped marijuana fell from 18 percent in 2024 to 14 percent, and lifetime use of marijuana edibles fell from 11 percent to 8 percent. Reported lifetime vaping dropped from 15 percent to 13 percent.
An increase in cannabis use among middle schoolers seen in the 2024 survey also reversed. This year 6.4 percent of middle school students reported smoking or vaping cannabis in the previous 30 days, down from 7.8 percent, though still above the 5.4 percent recorded in 2022.
Cyberbullying showed some of the largest improvements. Seven percent of both middle and high school students said they had posted something online meant to embarrass or hurt another student, down from 13 percent and 10 percent in 2024.
State officials credited prevention programs, and the survey found high school students perceived alcohol and drugs as harder to get than two years ago.
The mental health picture changed less. About 29 percent of middle school students and 34 percent of high school students reported struggling with their mental health over the past year.
The survey is given every two years in middle and high schools across the state. Parents looking for local prevention resources can start with their community's prevention coalition or the state's BH Link line at 401-414-5465, which offers 24-hour behavioral health support for people of all ages.
