Why does it seem that research these days reveals one disturbing trend after another? On Tuesday, a new national survey was released that shows while drug abuse among teens has declined in many areas, no progress has been made against the abuse of prescription painkillers.

Conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute of Social Research and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the 33rd annual Monitoring the Future survey found that abuse of painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin is second only to marijuana, which is the most widely used narcotic.

Researchers first began asking teens about OxyContin in 2002, and since that time the reported use has been erratic. In 2007, the figures were actually higher than they were five years ago. At least one in 20 high school seniors reported trying the drug in the past year. Meanwhile, one in 10 high school seniors acknowledged using Vicodin, whose abuse has continued to stay at recent peak levels.

Even scarier, the use of MDMA or ecstasy among teens has risen once again, marking a trend of gradual increases in the last several years that suggest adolescents have become comfortable with the narcotic and don’t deem it a risk.

Researchers polled nearly 50,000 students from 403 secondary schools. To view the complete report, go to www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=6225.

Naomi Dillon, Senior Editor