Teen Drug Use, The Decline

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has been monitoring drug use among high school teens since 1975 and the present trend is looking favorable in most instances. The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research conducted the study in 2008 and the stability and decline of drug use among participants of the study was reassuring. Marijuana use among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders surveyed has shown a steady decrease since the mid 90s, but seems to have leveled off. Last year marijuana use was used by nearly 11 percent of 8th graders, nearly 24 percent of 10th graders, and over 32 percent of 12th graders.

Over 15 percent of students surveyed admitted use of pharmaceutical prescription drugs. Of all findings in the report this fact was the most disheartening. The misrepresentation of drug companies claiming miracle drugs to heighten mood and to become “happy” in a pharmaceutical stupor have taken the minds and souls of too many teens. As prescription drugs become more prevalent in households more teen have access to drugs that are not locked up or forgotten about. Some simple measures can help prevent teens from acquiring illicit prescription drugs from their households. Simple measures of locking up all prescription drugs and informing your teens about the dangers of prescription drug use can be the difference in keeping your son or daughter off these damaging drugs. For information on the dangers of these drugs can be found at the DEA web site: http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/prescription_drug_fact_sheet.html. Keep your family safe and informed and we will see these numbers continue to drop.