REPORTED SUBSTANCE USE AMONG KANSAS YOUTH 

REACHES 30-YEAR LOW 

When the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center – Greenbush first administered the Kansas Communities That Care (KCTC) Student Survey in 1995, 36% of students reported they had never drunk alcohol. Now, that number has soared to 76%. 

In fact, reported substance use among Kansas youth has reached a 30-year low. “That’s a huge accomplishment schools and communities should be proud of,” said Program Evaluator Jeremy Johnson. “Because of their efforts, we have decades of data trends that provide insight into youth attitudes and behaviors regarding substance use, mental health, bullying, and more.”

The survey was designed to provide an anonymous platform for student voice. School districts, community coalitions, and others use that data to apply for funding for services and programs that directly benefit students. Youth feedback also helps inform strategic planning. Combined, these efforts have contributed to significantly reducing risk factors, like substance use.

Key findings from 2025 include: 

• Alcohol is the highest reported substance used. Seven percent of youth reported using it in the past 30 days, compared to 4.9% for vaping and 2.6% for marijuana.

• Nearly 31% of youth reported feelings of depression in the past year. That number has steadily decreased since it peaked from 38% in 2022. Similarly, reported suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts have declined in recent years.

• Kids who reported being bullied daily reported feelings of depression more than twice as much as kids who reported they had never been bullied.

Greenbush administers the KCTC Student Survey annually to 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders across Kansas. The survey is funded by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.