The bar chart illustrates the parentage of American students who have used illicit drugs in period from 2000 to present, categorised by gender as well as overall figures
In general, there is clear upward trend in drugs use among the students over the period. While males consistently recorded higher percentage, the gap between males and females narrowed significantly over time
In 2000, the trend of using illicit drugs was relatively low with about 20% of males and only around 5% of females reported, while the overall percentage was just above 10%. By 2005, the number had risen moderately, especially among males, whose rate doubled to 40%. The upward trend continued in 2010, where the figures reached approximately 50% for males and 55% for females, indicating a significant rise over the decade
From 2010 to the present, the growth in drug use slowed but remained at high levels. Male figures increased to about 60%, while females reached just under this level, showing that the difference between genders had almost disappeared. Overall, the total percentage also rose steadily, approaching 60% in the present, indicating that illicit drug use has become considerably more widespread among students.