7 in 10 believe teenagers have replaced alcohol with other drugs

28.04.2026 - Ahead of Valborg, Systembolaget can challenge a persistent myth: that young people have replaced alcohol with narcotics. A new survey shows that a majority of the public believes that narcotics use among teenagers has increased, but that picture is not correct.

According to Systembolaget’s new survey, 73 percent believe that narcotics use among teenagers has increased over the past 20 years. In addition, 66 percent believe that teenagers today drink less because they use other drugs instead. However, this does not match reality. CAN’s national school survey 2025, among young people in grade 9 and year 2 of upper secondary school, shows both that alcohol is much more common than narcotics and that narcotics use among upper secondary school students is at the lowest measured level since the surveys began in 2004.

“It is understandable that parents worry about narcotics, but it is important to remember that young people primarily try alcohol. As an adult, you therefore have an important role by talking about alcohol and the situations that can arise when drinking,” says Karolina Dahlbeck Nobel, public health expert at Systembolaget.

Valborg is a risk weekend for alcohol debut Previous surveys show that Valborg is one of the weekends when many young people come into contact with alcohol. For some, it is when their alcohol debut takes place. The most common reason why young people aged 15 to 17 choose not to drink is clear parents: 4 in 10 drink rarely or not at all because they are not allowed to by their parents.

“We know, and we can see, that it makes a big difference when parents talk to their teenagers about alcohol, and we encourage everyone to have that conversation regularly,” concludes Karolina Dahlbeck Nobel.

Systembolaget sends Tonårsparlören to 122,000 households

Ahead of Valborg, Systembolaget sends Tonårsparlören to parents with children who turn 14 during the year. This year, it is being sent to 122,000 households. The purpose is to give parents concrete tools for talking about alcohol.

Ways to start a conversation about alcohol with your teenager

Start with yourself. Avoid beginning the conversation with accusing words such as “you must” or “you always”. Instead, start from your own feelings. Saying “I feel” or “I think” opens the way for a more constructive dialogue.

Avoid sounding like an interrogation. Ask open questions and let the conversation take time. A teenager who feels listened to is more likely to share.

Respect both perspectives. Show that you understand and take your child’s feelings seriously, even if you do not agree. This creates a more equal and respectful tone of conversation.

Set clear boundaries. Listening and setting boundaries go hand in hand. Be clear about what rules apply around alcohol. It provides safety, not control.

Reward honesty with calm. If you want your child to be honest, you need to show that you can handle hearing the truth. If you react with anger or criticism, the conversation may shut down.

Make use of everyday opportunities to talk. The best conversations often happen spontaneously, in the car, at dinner or when you are simply spending time at home. Be present in the moment and show that you are there, even when the topic is not sensitive.

Teenagers’ alcohol and narcotics use

Teenagers drink less today than 20 years ago, but alcohol is still more common than narcotics. In 2025, 36 percent of ninth graders were alcohol consumers, compared with 80 percent in the early 2000s. In upper secondary school, the share of consumers was 67 percent in 2025, down from 89 percent when CAN began measuring alcohol consumption among upper secondary school students in 2004. Alcohol is still more common than narcotics among teenagers.

Narcotics use among upper secondary school students is at the lowest levels since measurements began. Five percent of ninth graders have used narcotics at some point. Among students in year 2 of upper secondary school, the corresponding figure was 12 percent. This is the lowest measured level among year 2 upper secondary school students since measurements began in 2004.

Source: CAN’s national school survey 2025

About Tonårsparlören

With Tonårsparlören, Systembolaget wants to help make the teenage years easier for parents and teenagers and ultimately contribute to fewer young people starting to drink alcohol at an early age. The handbook is sent every year to parents with children who turn 14 during the year, this year to 122,000 households. Tonårsparlören contains facts, arguments and concrete tips on how parents can relate to and act in order to help their teenager make their own wise decisions. Tonårsparlören can also be read at tonarsparloren.se, where it is also available in English.