In 2023, some 21.5 percent of 12th graders in the United States stated they felt it was “fairly easy” or “very easy” to obtain LSD. This is a significant decrease from 54 percent of 12th graders who perceived the drug to be easy to obtain in the year 1995. LSD is a hallucinogenic drug that can alter the user’s thoughts, feelings, and perception of reality.
Teen drug availability
Similar to LSD, around 18 percent of 12th graders in the U.S. also perceived it easy to obtain cocaine. Perceived availability of cocaine among this group has decreased since the year 2007, in which 47 percent felt it was easy to obtain. Marijuana is the most used illicit drug among 12th graders, so it is unsurprising that perceived availability is high. In 2022, around 70 percent of 12th graders stated it was easy to obtain marijuana.
Drug use
Marijuana is the most popular illicit drug in the United States, with over 52 million people using this drug in the past year as of 2021. Cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug, followed by methamphetamine and LSD. In total, around 29.5 million people in the U.S. have used LSD in their lifetime.
Availability of LSD as perceived by U.S. 12th graders from 1975 to 2023*
Characteristic
Percentage saying “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get
2023
21.5%
2022
24.7%
2021
23.6%
2019
28.2%
2018
28%
2017
26.3%
2016
28%
2015
26.5%
2014
25.9%
2013
24.5%
2012
27.6%
2011
25.1%
2010
25.1%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage saying “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get21.5%21.5%24.7%24.7%23.6%23.6%28.2%28.2%28%28%26.3%26.3%28%28%26.5%26.5%25.9%25.9%24.5%24.5%27.6%27.6%25.1%25.1%25.1%25.1%26.3%26.3%28.5%28.5%28.7%28.7%29%29%28.6%28.6%33.1%33.1%33.6%33.6%39.6%39.6%44.7%44.7%46.9%46.9%53.8%53.8%40.7%40.7%30.5%30.5%35.3%35.3%46.2%46.2%2023202220212019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019951990198519801975
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* Percentage of 12th graders saying that it is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get LSD.
Results for 2021 may not be comparable to previous years. In 2021 MTF conducted survey administrations via the internet for the first time, and responses, especially on attitudes, can be sensitive to mode effects
Monitoring the Future is an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of American secondary school students, college students, and young adults. Each year, a total of approximately 50,000 8th, 10th and 12th grade students are surveyed (12th graders since 1975, and 8th and 10th graders since 1991).
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NIH, & NIDA. (May 31, 2024). Availability of LSD as perceived by U.S. 12th graders from 1975 to 2023* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 03, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/208470/availability-of-cocaine-as-perceived-by-us-12th-graders-since-1975/
NIH, und NIDA. "Availability of LSD as perceived by U.S. 12th graders from 1975 to 2023*." Chart. May 31, 2024. Statista. Accessed June 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/208470/availability-of-cocaine-as-perceived-by-us-12th-graders-since-1975/
NIH, NIDA. (2024). Availability of LSD as perceived by U.S. 12th graders from 1975 to 2023*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 03, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/208470/availability-of-cocaine-as-perceived-by-us-12th-graders-since-1975/
NIH, and NIDA. "Availability of Lsd as Perceived by U.S. 12th Graders from 1975 to 2023*." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/208470/availability-of-cocaine-as-perceived-by-us-12th-graders-since-1975/
NIH & NIDA, Availability of LSD as perceived by U.S. 12th graders from 1975 to 2023* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/208470/availability-of-cocaine-as-perceived-by-us-12th-graders-since-1975/ (last visited June 03, 2025)
Availability of LSD as perceived by U.S. 12th graders from 1975 to 2023* [Graph], NIH, & NIDA, May 31, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/208470/availability-of-cocaine-as-perceived-by-us-12th-graders-since-1975/
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