Psychemedics (PMD) released its 2026 Education Insights Report, analyzing substance use trends among U.S. high school and college students using national research and longitudinal hair testing data.
Key findings address cannabis prevalence, counterfeit prescription pills, five-year-low positivity rates, and links between substance use, academic performance, wellness, and campus safety.
This announcement highlights a 3.1% student positivity rate in 2025, down from 5.4% in 2022, reinfor...
Analysis
This announcement highlights a 3.1% student positivity rate in 2025, down from 5.4% in 2022, reinforcing Psychemedics’ data relevance. Investors may watch how such insights translate into testing demand and whether education trends affect long-term volumes.
Key Figures
Student positivity rate:3.1%Peak positivity rate:5.4%Trend period:5 years+4 more
7 metrics
Student positivity rate3.1%Overall positive rate in 2025
Peak positivity rate5.4%Peak overall positive rate in 2022
Trend period5 yearsStudent positivity rates reached a five-year low in 2025
Price change-1.84%Move prior to article publication
Relative volume1.87xToday vs. 20-day average volume
52-week range$1.50–$4.00Price bounds prior to this news
Market cap$15,738,211Equity value prior to article
Peers on Argus
PMD was down 1.84% on elevated relative volume (~1.9x 20-day average) with no pe...
PMD was down 1.84% on elevated relative volume (~1.9x 20-day average) with no peers in the momentum list, pointing to a stock-specific move rather than a sector-driven shift.
Regulatory & Risk Context
Short Interest: 1.43%
Short Interest
1.43% of float
0%15%30%+
lowas of 2024-11-29Days to cover: 1.92
Reported short interest is relatively low, suggesting limited short-squeeze dynamics and a lower likelihood that short covering alone would drive extreme volatility.
"Combining national research with longitudinal hair testing data, the report explores"
Longitudinal describes observations or data collected from the same subjects or entities repeatedly over time, tracking how things change rather than a single snapshot. For investors it matters because longitudinal information reveals trends, persistence, and potential cause-and-effect (for example in sales, safety outcomes, or earnings), helping distinguish short-term noise from meaningful long-term shifts—like watching a plant grow rather than looking at a single photo.
synthetic opioidsmedical
"counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids presents growing"
Synthetic opioids are man-made drugs designed to relieve pain or produce sedation, made in laboratories rather than extracted from the opium poppy; they include both prescription medications and illicit variants. They matter to investors because regulatory actions, safety concerns, changes in prescribing, supply-chain controls, or legal liability can quickly affect sales, costs and reputations of drugmakers, distributors and insurers—similar to how a large product-safety scandal can reshape a company's financial outlook.
delta-8 thcmedical
"emerging products such as Delta-8 THC, cannabis concentrates, vaping devices, and"
Delta-8 THC is a naturally occurring chemical cousin of the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that can produce mild intoxicating effects; it is often extracted from hemp or converted from hemp-derived compounds. It matters to investors because its legal status, safety profile, and consumer demand are uncertain and vary by jurisdiction, so companies selling or processing it face regulatory risk, potential liability and fast-changing market opportunities — like betting on a product that may be legal in some places but banned in others.
cannabis concentratesmedical
"emerging products such as Delta-8 THC, cannabis concentrates, vaping devices, and"
Cannabis concentrates are products created by extracting and concentrating the plant’s active compounds into potent oils, waxes, resins or powders used for vaping, dabbing, or adding to edibles and topicals. They matter to investors because concentrates typically sell at a premium, involve different manufacturing and regulatory risks, and can drive profit margins and innovation in a cannabis company much like a specialty ingredient can boost revenue in other consumer sectors.
New Report Examines Emerging Student Substance Use Trends and Their Impact on Academic Success, Student Wellness, and Campus Safety
DALLAS, June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Psychemedics Corporation, the pioneer and global leader in hair testing for drugs of abuse, today announced the release of its 2026 Education Insights Report, a comprehensive analysis of substance use trends affecting high school and college students across the United States.
Combining national research with longitudinal hair testing data, the report explores the evolving landscape of student substance use, including cannabis, prescription stimulants, vaping products, synthetic opioids, and other emerging substances. The findings provide educational leaders with valuable insight into behavioral trends that may influence student well-being, academic performance, and campus safety.
Key findings from the 2026 Education Insights Report include:
Student positivity rates reached a five-year low in 2025. The overall positive rate declined to 3.1%, down from a peak of 5.4% in 2022, suggesting that sustained prevention and education efforts can produce measurable results.
Marijuana remains the most commonly detected substance. Cannabis accounts for more than half of all positive results, reflecting the continued influence of high-potency products, vaping devices, edibles, and other alternative delivery methods.
Prescription drug threats continue to emerge. The increasing presence of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids presents growing health and safety concerns for educational institutions.
Substance use remains closely tied to academic outcomes. Research reviewed in the report links substance use to reduced classroom engagement, increased absenteeism, lower academic performance, and decreased educational persistence.
“Educational institutions today face challenges that extend far beyond the classroom,” said Brian Hullinger, President and CEO of Psychemedics. “Student wellness, mental health, academic success, and campus safety are increasingly interconnected. The Education Insights Report is designed to help educators better understand evolving substance use trends and make informed decisions that support student achievement and well-being.”
The report also examines how emerging products such as Delta-8 THC, cannabis concentrates, vaping devices, and counterfeit prescription pills are reshaping risk patterns among adolescents and young adults. In addition, it highlights the value of longitudinal data in supporting prevention programs, wellness initiatives, and early intervention strategies.
According to the report, while overall positivity rates have declined in recent years, cannabis continues to drive the majority of positive results, and substances such as cocaine, opioids, and prescription stimulants remain present within student populations. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining proactive approaches to student health and safety rather than relying solely on reactive policies.
“Prevention starts with understanding,” added Hullinger. “Schools and universities need reliable information about the challenges students are facing today. Our goal is to provide insights that help institutions create safer, healthier, and more supportive learning environments.”
For more information about Psychemedics Corporation and its hair testing solutions, visit https://www.psychemedics.com.
About Psychemedics
Psychemedics Corporation is the pioneer and a leading global provider of hair testing for drugs of abuse. With a commitment to accuracy and reliability, the company offers cutting-edge drug testing solutions. Psychemedics Corporation is dedicated to providing valuable insights and maintaining the highest standards in substance abuse testing.
What is the Psychemedics (PMD) 2026 Education Insights Report released on June 30, 2026?
The 2026 Education Insights Report is a Psychemedics study on student substance use trends and related risks. According to Psychemedics, it combines national research and longitudinal hair testing data to examine impacts on wellness, academics, and campus safety for U.S. high schools and colleges.
What are the key student drug use findings in the Psychemedics (PMD) 2026 Education Insights Report?
The report highlights lower overall positivity, cannabis dominance, and ongoing prescription drug threats among students. According to Psychemedics, the overall positive rate fell to 3.1% in 2025 from a 5.4% peak in 2022, while cannabis still accounts for over half of positive results.
How does the Psychemedics (PMD) 2026 Education Insights Report link substance use to academic performance?
The report associates student substance use with negative academic outcomes and engagement. According to Psychemedics, reviewed research connects use with reduced classroom participation, more absenteeism, lower academic performance, and decreased persistence in education, underscoring the importance of prevention and early intervention in schools and universities.
What emerging substances and products does the Psychemedics (PMD) 2026 Education Insights Report identify?
The report notes evolving risks from newer cannabis and prescription drug products. According to Psychemedics, these include Delta-8 THC, cannabis concentrates, vaping devices, and counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, which are reshaping risk patterns among adolescents and young adults.
Why are overall student drug positivity rates declining according to the Psychemedics (PMD) 2026 Education Insights Report?
The report indicates student positivity rates reached a five-year low in 2025. According to Psychemedics, the decline to 3.1% from 5.4% in 2022 suggests sustained prevention and education efforts can produce measurable results, even as cannabis and other substances remain present on campuses.
How can schools use the Psychemedics (PMD) 2026 Education Insights Report to improve campus safety?
Schools can use the report’s data to guide prevention and wellness strategies. According to Psychemedics, longitudinal hair testing insights help institutions understand evolving substance trends and maintain proactive approaches to student health and safety, instead of relying only on reactive disciplinary or crisis responses.
