The report was based on a 1999 confidential survey of 15,349 teenagers in grades nine through 12 in high schools throughout the United States. According to the report's findings, half of the teens had at least one drink of alcohol, 35 percent had smoked cigarettes, 27 percent had smoked marijuana and 4 percent had tried cocaine in the month before the survey.

Furthermore, the study showed that one-third of the students had five or more drinks of alcohol at least once. The report indicated that figures for cocaine and marijuana use were higher than those from a 1993 study.

"While we are making progress in many areas, too many high school students are still practicing behaviors that place them at risk for unnecessary health, education and social problems," said Laura Kann of the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health.

The report also found that 33 percent of teens had ridden in the past month with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, 15 percent had used inhalants during their lifetime, and 9 percent had used methamphetamines.

The CDC survey is conducted every two years.

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