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Teenage Drug Abuse

Teenage Drug Abuse

Parents who are informed are parents who can best cope with the pressures and influences their children face when it comes to alcohol and drug use. Many parents of today grew up during those decades of exploding youth drug experimentation, so they believe they know and understand the temptations and the risks their pre-teen and adolescent children face. There are many designer drugs available today that did not exist 20 or 30 years ago. Marijuana potency has increased exponentially in the last 20 years. And to this day myths persist about alcohol that leads many parents to tragically miss signs of serious trouble because they think it is "just alcohol."

Cough Syrup Abuse

Cough syrup preparations are also fast becoming one of the most common drugs of abuse among teens. The active ingredient of many cough syrups is dextromethorphan (DXM), which if taken in large doses can cause visual hallucinations and a heightened sense of awareness - in other words, a cheap high.

Learn more about Cough Syrup Abuse

Teen Meth Use and Abuse

Although the use of crystal methamphetamine - "Meth" - among youth may be decreasing on the national level, certain areas of the United States continue to face significant problems with this potent and highly addictive substance. In addition, not all current research agrees about the prevalence of Meth use among youth and young adults. Although Meth is used by a small percentage of the American population, its extreme potency and potential for severe physical, behavioral, and social consequences keeps it a pressing concern in many communities.

Learn more about Methamphetamine Use Among Youth

Pharm Parties

Drug Testing Trends at School and in the Workplace

Home > Addictive Substances > Drugs > Drug Categories > Controlled/Illegal Drugs > Marijuana

Information about marijuana, an illegal substance commonly abused by teens, adolescents and adults.

Links
  • Marijuana Anonymous

    Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction.

  • Marijuana: Facts for Teens

    What is marijuana and how does it affect the user's everyday life? This colorful brochure answers these questions and many more. Marijuana: Facts for Teens also examines the short- and long-term effects of marijuana use, signs that someone has been using marijuana, ways that marijuana affects driving ability, and possible harm marijuana may do to a person's brain.

  • Neuroscience for Kids: Marijuana

    The goal of Neuroscience for kids:marijuana is to teach children about the origins, effects and treatment of addiction to marijuana.

  • Troubled Teens Risk Rapid Dependence on Marijuana

    Marijuana use by teenagers who have prior serious antisocial problems can quickly lead to dependence on the drug, according to a recent study by researchers at the Addiction Research and Treatment Service, University of Colorado School of Medicine. The study also found that, for troubled teens using tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, the progression from first use of marijuana to regular use was more rapid than the progression to regular use for alcohol and about the same as that for nicotine.

  • What's Up With Marijuana?

    This was written by the Drug Enforcement Agency for teens as part of its Get It Straight! series. They let you know what's up with marijuana, what it's called on the street, a description of how it looks, where it comes from, how it's used, and the legal issues surrounding its use.

Not Your Parents' Drug: Marijuana Potency Reaches All-Time High

Marijuana Potency

A recent report by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy indicates that the marijuana being smoked by today's teenagers is significantly more potent than that used by previous generations.

Read Marijuana Potency Reaches All-Time High.

The Risks of Hosting Teen Parties

The Risks of Hosting Teen Parties

Parents who host teen parties should be aware of their liability should teens sneak in alcohol. Saying that you did not allow the alcohol is not enough to protect you, especially if you let these teens drive home and they cause an accident.

Read about Parent's Liability When Hosting Teen Parties.

Create - Connect - Communicate

Create - Connect - Communicate

Learn strategies to keep in touch with your children before they become teenagers and you will be in a better position to understand the pressures they face and communicate your concerns and expectations.

Create a safe, supportive environment for teaching about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

Connect with teens to find out what they know, how they feel. what pressures they face.

Communicate clearly what you expect and what the consequences of use will be.

The word "expectations" may have negative connotations, but by letting your child know what behaviors you will and will not accept, you help set the tone for their adolescence.

Teens who know their parents will not tolerate illegal drug use tend to resist peer pressure better than those whose parents avoid the issue.

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