Teen drug abuse has been a constant and increasing trend over time. It has been found that kids as young as thirteen have tried cocaine. Many teens consider drugs a recreational activity and don’t see the dangers of abuse or chemical dependence. The consequences aren’t weighed and the ramifications aren’t considered. Addiction is a far-fetched concept that has not been fully realized, and in some cases, it is never realized until too late.
Marijuana is the most commonly used drug on the market today. In 2001, statistics showed that more than eighty-three million Americans aged 12 and older had tried marijuana at least once. Throughout the early 90s, the number of middle school students who reported using marijuana increased. Over time, however, the numbers have begun to level off. In 2009, a survey called Monitoring the Future showed that about 7% of 8th graders, 16% of 10th graders, and 21% of 12th graders had used marijuana in the month before the survey. While today this trend appears to be slowing down, usage of marijuana continues at unacceptably high levels. (See marijuana treatment centers.)
It is more likely that students who smoke marijuana won’t graduate from high school because of poor grades, as compared to peers who don’t smoke. In one study, researchers compared the scores of 12th graders on standardized tests of verbal and mathematical skills; all the students had scored equally well in the 4th grade, but the study showed that those who had begun smoking marijuana scored significantly lower than the non-smokers.
The deterioration emotional skills, problem-solving abilities, and other critical life skills was proven in further studies of marijuana’s effects on the brain. Students were given an arrangement of tests that measured these problem-solving and emotional skills in the 8th grade and then again four years later. Results showed that students who were already drinking alcohol in addition to smoking marijuana in 8th grade started off behind their peers at a smaller rate. But as time went on, the gap grew significantly by the time they reached the 12th grade. The study was linked to marijuana use independent of alcohol use. It showed that the students’ psychological skills were greatly reduced by the use of marijuana.
If you or someone you know needs marijuana drug treatment, please call the toll free number at (877) 714-1320. Someone is available 24 hours a day to answer your questions and any concerns you may have.
