October 31st through November 6th is National Drug Facts Week.
This is an opportunity to shatter the myths about drug and substance abuse as well as become an educated parent and build a stronger drug-free community.
"My teen only smokes pot."
What a common statement that is that a parent will make. They may only be smoking pot today, but what will tomorrow be? What will 2 years from now be? What will it be when they hit a college campus?
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug (15.2 million past-month users) according to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). That year, marijuana was used by 75.6 percent of current illicit drug users (defined as having used the drug some time in the 30 days before the survey) and was the only drug used by 53.3 percent of them.
Marijuana use is widespread among adolescents and young adults. According to the Monitoring the Future Survey—an annual survey of attitudes and drug use among the Nation's middle and high school students—most measures of marijuana use decreased in the past decade among 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders. However, this decline has stalled in the past few years as attitudes have softened about marijuana's risks. In 2009, 11.8 percent of 8th-graders reported marijuana use in the past year, and 6.5 percent were current users. Among 10th-graders, 26.7 percent had used marijuana in the past year, and 15.9 percent were current users. Rates of use among 12th-graders were higher still: 32.8 percent had used marijuana during the year prior to the survey, and 20.6 percent were current users. (Source - NIDA)
Take 2 minutes to learn how marijuana can be addictive by watching the video on the sidebar.
Locally we are fortunate to be in a proactive community. St. Johns County offers PACT Prevention Coalition.
PACT Prevention Coalition creates awarness and education about the dangers of substance abuse. Whether it is drugs or alcohol or both, being an educated parent is the first step to teen drug use prevention.
Do you suspect your teen is using drugs or drinking? Do you suspect they are dealing? Click here for 10 warning signs.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
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