February Newsletter Spotlight – The Youth Lens

Youth Perspective: Why do Marin teens use?

Youth substance use in Marin County is significantly higher than the California state average. According to the California Healthy Kids Survey, nearly twice as many Marin County students reported using one or more substances in the past 30 days compared to students statewide. Rates of alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use among Marin teens consistently surpass state averages.

A key driver of Marin’s high youth substance use rates is accessibility. Many teens report that obtaining alcohol, marijuana, and other substances is relatively easy. Raven Twilling, a program coordinator at Bay Area Community Resources, notes, “When you’re wealthy, it’s easier to drive to places where substances are accessible, and there’s less fear of legal consequences.” Wealth and affluence reduce barriers to obtaining substances, making experimentation easier for teens.