WASHINGTON (AFP) - Teen drug abuse fell by 23 percent in the past five years, but use of prescription drugs is on the rise, according to a US government-funded annual study.



The 2006 nationwide study conducted by the University of Michigan found that among children aged 14, 16 and 18, marijuana use dropped by 25 percent, methamphetamine use by 50 percent, and LSD and Ecstasy by 50-66 percent.

Cigarette use and consumption of alcoholic beverages were also down among teenagers, the study found.

"That's good news," said Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, who presented the study's findings to the press.

"Every young person deserves the opportunity to rise to his fullest potential. Every child who reports that she did not experiment with drugs is one more child who could go on to do great things," he added.

However by the time of high school graduation (age 18) the study found that half of the more than 48,000 students surveyed had taken an illicit drug at least once.

The survey also found that teens increasingly were turning to prescription drugs to get high, with OxyContin taking the lead with a 30 percent increase, followed by sedatives increasing 18 percent among 18 year olds.

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