Witnessing Community Violence, Gun Carrying, and Associations with Substance Use and Suicide Risk Among High School Students. 2021

Based on Youth Risk Behavior Survey data for 2021. 

  • 19.9% of high school students ever witnessed community violence
  • 3.5% reported carrying a gun during the previous 12 months
  • Ever witnessing community violence and gun carrying were more prevalent among males than females and for American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students compared to Asian or White students.

Ever witnessing community violence and gun carrying are associated with increases in seriously considered attempting suicide, attempted suicide, current binge drinking, current marijuana use, lifetime prescription opioid misuse, and lifetime illicit drug use. 

Harper, C. R., et al. (2023). Witnessing Community Violence, Gun Carrying, and Associations with Substance Use and Suicide Risk Among High School Students - Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports: Supplement, 72(1): 22-28. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/su/su7201a3.htm?s_cid=su7201a3_w