Tag: teen drug use

HBO’s "Euphoria" Tackles Teen Addiction, Depression

Early reviews of the show’s series premiere praise it for speaking directly to Generation Z and for its “unflinching” examination of addiction and mental illness.

A new HBO drama titled Euphoria premiered on Sunday which takes on the issues of sex and drug use among teens. Creator Sam Levinson, who wrote and directed Assassination Nation, adapted Euphoria from an Israeli series and was inspired by his own history with drugs.

“I was a drug addict for many years and I’ve been clean for many years now,” he said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

“I was just trying to capture that kind of heightened sense of emotion, when you’re young and how relationships feel. Relationships have such a pull and people have such a pull, and the world feels like it’s just constantly sort of bearing down on you and that anxiety and those sort of mood swings that I think are inherent to being young, in general then, but are even more so when you struggle with anxiety and depression and addiction.”

The issue of mixing teens with high amounts of sex and drug use has people talking, with some concerned that parents will “freak out” about it. However, Levinson hopes that honestly approaching these issues will help bridge what he sees as a growing gap between generations.

“I hope that it at least opens up a dialogue between the two because it’s hard being a teenager,” he said. “It’s difficult, especially too if you’re struggling with addiction and battling those things. Hopefully it’ll open up those means of communication.”

Early reviews of the show’s series premiere praise it for speaking directly to Generation Z and for its “unflinching” approach to topics people would rather not think about. According to Gretchen Smail of Bustle, actress Zendaya plays a 17-year-old girl who is so deep in depression and anxiety that her only relief comes from getting so high that “her heart stops.”

According to a 2018 report by the World Health Organization, half of all mental illnesses begin by age 14 but “most cases are undetected and untreated.” Depression is also cited in the report as one of the primary causes of illness and disability among people age 10 to 19.

Prior to the series premiere, Zendaya posted a warning on her Instagram account about the graphic and heavy nature of Euphoria’s content.

“Just a reminder before tonight’s premiere, that Euphoria is for mature audiences,” she wrote. “It’s a raw and honest portrayal of addiction, anxiety and the difficulties of navigating life today. There are scenes that are graphic, hard to watch and can be triggering. Please only watch if you feel you can handle it.”

View the original article at thefix.com

19 June 2019
Alarming Facts About Teens and Drug Use
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Drugs are all around us, and they don’t discriminate. Drugs don’t care what your background is, what you look like or where you come from. The facts tell it all and they are frightening. It’s time to be realistic and realize drugs are impacting the youth of today, even possibly yours.

Table of Contents:
The Impact on your Child’s Development

No one has a dream or goal to become an addict when they try drugs. Unfortunately, it’s not up to them. This is especially true for teens. Their brains are still developing through adolescence and the risk of addiction is higher than that of adults.

According to sources, “By the time adolescents do require treatment for [addiction], they are well on their way through the developmental stages during which risk emerges”. What does this mean in layman’s terms? Basically, this means that we need to be aware of the risk factors and the outcomes or drug use. People who use and abuse drugs at a young age often suffer from mental health problems, including depression, personality disorders and suicidal thoughts later in life. The specific damage that can be done is extremely concerning.

However, you are the anti-drug.

One in three parents believe there is little they can do to prevent teen drug use. However, evidence that shows parental involvement is the strongest factor in prevention. So the good news is that you can make a direct and positive impact on your teen’s mental health. The bad news is that more and more teens are using to the point of addiction…just how many?

The Statistics are Alarming

Statistics don’t lie.

As parents, you can choose to ignore the findings, however, it’s important to pay attention before your own child becomes a statistic. Below are many alarming stats from recent U.S. Health and Human Services report that will make you cringe.
- In 2018, over 15% of American 12th-graders misused prescription drugs.
- There were 5,455 deaths due to drug overdose among teens in 2017.
- In 2017, about one in four high school seniors used an illicit drug, such as heroin or marijuana, in the past 30 days.
- In 2016, more than 1.4 million adolescents ages 12 to 17 needed treatment for an illicit drug problem.
- From 2014 to 2015, the rate of drug overdose deaths among teens in the United States increased by 19 percent.
- In 2015, 5% of high school students (grades 9-12) reported using any form of cocaine.
Where are the Drugs Coming From?

Without you realizing it, you may actually be feeding your child’s curiosity and habit. While parents certainly don’t want to admit they are enabling their children to use drugs, a 2013 study reports that over half of teens got prescription drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinet. Most parents are in denial that their child would ever do something like that … but it might be happening, right in front of your eyes.

As a precaution, parents need to ensure their children and their friends don’t have access to any prescription medication that can be harmful to them.

Teens are well aware of the intoxicating effects prescription drugs can have on them. So what can you do? If you’re a parent with a script for OxyContin or Xanax, just to name a few, make sure they’re out of reach. Pay attention to how many pills you have, so if any are missing, you’ll notice. Medications like these are highly addictive and can lead to overdose.

What you may consider to be a harmless everyday medication lying around the house, such as cough medicine, may be seen by your teen as a way to get high. You baby-proofed your house when your child was a toddler to protect them. How is teen-proofing any different?

How to Approach your Child

If you suspect your teen is using drugs, or even selling drugs, you need to act swiftly. Some of the main signs of a problem include when your teen starts:
- Acting differently
- Looking unhealthy
- Losing interest in their normal activities such as sports
- Not performing well at school
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to have a conversation with them. The reality is your child may not admit the truth for fear of punishment, embarrassment or judgement. Often, the signs are obvious. So, you need to master open communication. When you communicate without judgment and your message comes with a lot of love, your family can get through this.

When you connect with your teen on an emotional level instead of shaming and blaming, they’re more likely to share the why, the how and the how long.

No one wants their child to use drugs. While your initial reaction of discovering drug use may be to yell and be angry at your child, overreacting will only push your teen further away. It’s time to put your emotions to the side and discover how deep your teen may be into their drug habit. How can you do this?

Try to get into the mind of your addicted teen and see more from their perspective. Let your child know how important they are to you and how you only wish them health, happiness and success in their future, all the things drugs can and will destroy. Research tells us that teens who feel supported and loved are more likely to stop experimenting with drugs or seek help if they have an addiction.

You can make a difference in your child’s life and there is support out there to help your family get through this. There is no guarantee your child will never use drugs just because you’re a loving and present parent, however, you will be able to reduce the possibility of your child experimenting with drugs, possibility leading to addiction.

There are many programs available and while it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is right for your child, there is help to navigate through these uncharted and choppy waters. Organizations such as HelpYourTeenNow, an advocacy group, is dedicated to helping parents understand which form of treatment is best for their child, free of charge.

Preventing the Problem

So, how can you prevent your kids from getting into trouble with drugs or alcohol?

Believe it, or not…your presence alone goes a long way. Let your child know you care. Be present in their life and make an effort to know who your child is hanging out with. This will enable you to feel comfortable with their choice of friends or be able to recognize when there may be a concern.

Then…talk, talk, talk. Talk to your kids about drugs, even if you’re convinced they aren’t using them. While they may roll their eyes or consider you a clueless parent, there could be important information you offer they may not have been aware of.

Finally, create a plan of action in case your child is ever put in an uncomfortable situation where drugs may be present. Whether it’s texting or calling with a code word, let them know you are available to pick them up no matter what time or where, no questions asked. Parents! Stop pretending drugs aren’t an issue. Kids are getting high right now, in your community,and possibly right in your home.

Face the Music

Parents, it’s time to wake up.

The statistics don’t lie. Your child is at risk for using drugs. It’s very scary indeed but you have to face reality. “No, not my child”, isn’t going to cut it. While your child may be sweet and honest and immature, s/he is facing a new world. There’s peer pressure, curiosity, an escape from something happening in their lives…. and many other reasons your child could be dabbling into the world of drugs.

This article isn’t to frighten you, but rather to educate you, and perhaps save your child’s life. The youth of today feel they are untouchable and don’t have much worry about the long-term damage drugs can have on their bodies. Talk to your kids. Talk to other parents.

Finally, know that there is support.

View the original article at addictionblog.org
23 May 2019
Teens Who Share Drugs May Face Conviction, Prison Sentencing

Though laws vary in regard to culpability, 20 states regard drug delivery resulting in death as a crime.

A new feature on Psychology Today highlights an alarming possibility for parents and teenagers: Sharing drugs with friends can be considered legal grounds for a charge of dealing that can carry a prison sentence.

The feature references a New York Times article that details hundreds of cases of fatal overdoses in 36 states; many of these involved deaths that led to charges of homicide against friends and relatives, even though the deaths were considered unintentional.

Psychology Today advised a conversation with parents of teenagers to inform them about the possible legal consequences of sharing drugs.

Though laws vary in regard to culpability, the New York Times feature links to a list from the Drug Policy Alliance of 20 states that regard drug delivery resulting in death as a crime. Other states impose charges of manslaughter, homicide and murder on overdose-related cases.

Regardless of the final charge, cases involving accidental overdose deaths that resulted in prosecution or arrest doubled between 2015 and 2017; in the state of Minnesota, the number quadrupled over a decade.

The Psychology Today and New York Times articles both emphasized the fact that distribution of drugs that results in a death can result in criminal charges and imprisonment.

The Times cited a case of a 21-year-old in Minnesota who allegedly brought a synthetic drug to a party where 11 people overdosed, including a friend who died from cardiac arrest. The individual who brought the drug, and who claimed he was not aware of its illegal status, pled guilty to third-degree murder and was sentenced to nearly 10 years.

The Minnesota case also highlights the broad definition of distribution or dealing that is employed by several states. Sharing or giving away drugs with no exchange of money can be considered distribution; even borrowing money from another person to purchase drugs which results in an overdose death can bring a prosecution charge. Though defendants may argue that they did not force the situation in which a fatal overdose occurred, prosecutors take the position that the drugs caused a death, regardless of intent.

“Some family has lost an innocent life,” said Peter Kilmartin, attorney general of Rhode Island, in the New York Times piece. “That victim no longer has a voice.”

The Psychology Today feature that connects the two stories advocates for direct communication about sharing drugs with teenagers. “Open a dialogue with your child about drug sharing and the new legal consequences,” wrote the story’s author, Sean Grover, LCSW. Involving family members or representatives from a child’s school is also suggested.

View the original article at thefix.com

11 January 2019
Here’s What Parents Should Know About Teen Crack Cocaine Use
Causes of Teen Crack Cocaine Use

As teens slowly approach adulthood, most of them are exploring and learning more about themselves. While there are many teens who choose to cultivate a sense of self in healthy ways, others decide to experiment and test their boundaries by engaging in risky activities, such as crack cocaine use.

Along with satisfying their curiosity and showing their independence, many teens choose to use crack cocaine to belong in a specific group, experience feelings of euphoria, gain more self-confidence, and be completely comfortable in social settings. These are the primary reasons why teens use crack cocaine.

REASON 1: Peer Pressure

One of the primary reasons why teens use crack cocaine is because of peer pressure. In most cases, teens feel extreme pressure to fit in. Because of this intense pressure, some insecure teens will make decisions based on what their friends and peers want them to do.

According to a study performed by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, teens are more prone to engage in risky behavior if their peers are watching. While some teens are able to consider rewards and risks before making a dangerous decision, other teens are not mature enough to control impulse behaviors such as using drugs. Before giving in to peer pressure, teens should make themselves aware of the dangerous side effects of crack cocaine, which could negatively impact their lives.

REASON 2: Euphoria

After teens are pressured into trying cocaine, many become addicted to this drug due to the main high effect called euphoria. Also known as a special kind of extreme pleasure, euphoria is the same feeling associated with a real accomplishment or reward. When teens repeatedly use cocaine, the brain is stimulated to produce these pleasurable feelings over and over again.

REASON 3: Self Confidence

Most teenagers struggle with self-confidence, which is why many teens are drawn toward crack cocaine. While teens are high on cocaine, they will usually feel better about themselves. Often times, teens may even feel superior to their peers when using this dangerous drug. Unfortunately, once teens come down from this cocaine high, they will probably feel worse about themselves than they did before using this drug. As a result, many teens continue using the drug to try to experience greater self-confidence again.

REASON 4: Sociability

Almost every teen wants to feel accepted and valued in social situations. In order to relax and be more comfortable around their peers, some teens use drugs like cocaine. During a cocaine high, many teens can become more talkative and gregarious in social settings.

The fact that cocaine can make users feel more energetic and sociable is another reason why teens prefer crack over other types of drugs. Teens who struggle with social anxieties, extreme shyness, and/or depression are especially attractive to this cocaine effect.

Major Side Effects of Cocaine

Although the cocaine high can make teens feel really good, they should remember that there are severe side effects associated with using this dangerous drug. Depending on the person and the amount of usage, teens may experience any of these effects when using this drug:
- Angry outbursts
- Anxiety
- Extremely hot body temperatures
- Full-body stimulation
- Hallucinations
- Heart problems
- Hyperactivity
- Intense sadness
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Paranoia
- Seizures
Other side effects?

Addiction – Withdrawal – Death.

Such unpleasant side effects can be particularly frustrating to teens who use crack cocaine to make friends with popular peers, experience increased happiness, gain more confidence, and become more sociable.

Risk Factors

There are many factors that influence a teen’s likelihood to use crack cocaine. The more risk factors that are present, the more likely a teen will experiment with the drug to achieve the desired results. The most common risk factors for cocaine drug use are:
- Low self-esteem
- Poor grades
- Permissive parenting
- Victim of extreme bullying
- Parent/sibling drug use
In addition, teens who attend a school without strict rules for drugs or live in a community with a high tolerance for crack cocaine use are more prone to engage in this dangerous drug.

Protective Factors

On the other hand, there are many protective factors that have been shown to significantly decrease the risk of drug use among teens. These include:
- Being extremely close with a parent or caregiver
- Maintaining high self-esteem
- Living in a community with many youth programs
- Spending time with positive role models
- Attending a school with a strict no drug policy
- Participating in regular discussions with a parent about the risks of drug use
The good news is that parents can greatly control many of the risk and protective factors in their homes. Always remember that successful drug prevention is when the risk factors are significantly reduced and the protective factors are greatly increased.

Struggling Teens Should Seek Help

While these common side effects can be extremely unpleasant, with repeated crack use, the brain can begin to associate these symptoms with the enjoyable effects of a cocaine high. The inability of the brain to distinguish between the unpleasant and pleasurable side effects is the main reason why teens become addicted to this substance.

Of course, the best way to prevent cocaine addiction is to avoid drug use completely. Because of its intense pleasurable effect, teens may need a great amount of support from parents, friends, and other loved ones to stop using this drug. Regardless of the circumstances, there is always hope for teens who would like to overcome cocaine addiction for good. Don’t be afraid to seek professional help for your teen if you notice symptoms of crack cocaine use. With drug abuse treatment, your teen can go on to live a happy, healthy, and successful life.

View the original article at
14 November 2018
Teen Drug Use Drops In Ohio

A local prevention expert credits greater awareness, media attention and personal tragedies for the decrease.

There’s some good news out of Ohio, as a new survey indicates teen prescription painkiller and heroin use are on the decline.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the numbers come from a survey administered every two years by PreventionFirst, a nonprofit with the goal of stopping teen drug use before it begins.

“2018 is the lowest I’ve ever seen it,” Mary Haag, president and CEO of PreventionFirst, told the Enquirer.

The survey involved almost 33,000 students in grades 7-12 from both private and public schools in the greater Cincinnati area.

According to the findings, 2.4% of surveyed students reported using any type of prescription drugs in the 30 days prior to the survey, and 0.3% reported using heroin in that same timeframe. In comparison, in 2012, 6.5% reported using prescription pain pills and 1.8% reported heroin use.

Haag tells the Enquirer that these numbers are encouraging and she credits greater awareness, media attention and personal tragedies for the decrease.

However, the survey did raise some concerns when it came to alcohol and marijuana. According to the results, in the 30 days before the survey, 13.7% of students reported using alcohol and 8.1% reported using marijuana.

Another recent survey, the CDC’s 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, also asked questions about teen opioid use. This survey asked whether students had ever misused prescription opioids and the number answering yes was higher, at 14%.

Nancy Brener, lead health scientist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health, tells the Enquirer that this response is concerning. However, the same survey also showed a decrease in overall drug use in teens.

“I think it’s important to understand that we have made progress,“ Brener noted.

The survey also indicates that those who do not smoke cigarettes or use alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription drugs by age 21 are “virtually certain never to do so.”

According to Marc Fishman, medical director of Maryland Treatment Centers and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University Department of Psychiatry, tells the Enquirer that it’s vital that treatment centers be willing to treat all types of substance use disorders in teenagers.

“We need more treatment,” Fishman told the Enquirer. “Treatment of cocaine-use disorder. Treatment of alcohol-use disorder. Treatment of marijuana-use disorder.”

“The vast majority of people with opioid-use disorder start with non-opioid use,” Fishman added. “Most of them don’t progress, but almost all of the cases of opioid-use disorder started there.”

View the original article at thefix.com

14 November 2018
Is Your Teen Smoking Pot? Here’s 5 Next Steps to Take
Nearly 6% of American High School Seniors Use Pot Daily

The discovery that your teenager is smoking pot can be upsetting. Whether you caught them in the act or they admitted it to you, the next steps that you take are critical for their long-term health and happiness. While teens have often been known to engage in rebellious acts over the years, those who experiment with marijuana frequently discover that they cannot stop as easily as they thought.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens, nearly six percent of high school seniors admitting to using marijuana on a daily basis, and forty-five percent claimed that they had tried it in the past year.

If you suspect that your teen may be smoking marijuana, here’s a few steps you should take to make sure that he or she does not face the consequences of becoming a chronic user.

1. Confirm Your Suspicions

Your first step is to find out for sure if your teen is actually using marijuana. Here are some signs that might suggest your teen is smoking pot:
- You find paraphernalia or smelled marijuana smoke on your teen
- Your teen is hanging out with known users of the drug
- Your teen wears clothing or listens to music that glorifies pot
- Your teen exhibits signs of being under the influence, such as having memory lapses or difficulty holding a clear conversation
If you suspect that your teen is using marijuana, you can confirm your suspicions by simply asking them if they are smoking or ingesting pot. Keep in mind, however, that your teen may lie if they believe that telling the truth will get them in trouble. In these instances, you may need to seek further proof of their marijuana use by having them take a drug test at home or in a professional setting.

2. Open Up a Dialogue

Ideally, you have been talking to your teen about drugs for several years. Now, you need to open up a deeper conversation about marijuana use. Begin by picking a time when you know that your teen is comfortable and open to talking. Try to avoid times when you are rushed, such as on the way to school since this conversation could turn into one that is more complex than you expected. You can also use techniques such as asking open-ended questions to make sure that this feels like a conversation and less like a lecture. Remember that your goal is to get your teen to open up about their marijuana use so that you can begin to work together on finding a solution to help them stop.

3. Talk About the Risks for Teens

One of the reasons for the increasing rates of teen marijuana use is that it is no longer depicted as dangerous in the media. Teens who read about the legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes may begin to think that using the drug is low risk. While marijuana may be legal in certain states, the truth is that it is still illegal for teenagers to use. Marijuana also affects teenagers differently than it does adults, and your kid needs to know the facts.

Gather some information about the risks of using marijuana for teens before you sit down with your child to talk about their use. For instance, you may put together a few facts about how marijuana affects the developing brain. Your teen may be surprised to discover that doing pot in their teen years could affect their ability to think and rationalize properly as adults.

In addition the physical risks of marijuana use, your teen is also placing themselves in a risky situation. For example, your teen could face stiff fines and jail time if they are caught with marijuana in their possession. Chronic use may also be causing your teen to struggle in school, or they may have been kicked off of their sports team.

4. Check for Other Forms of Drug Abuse

Marijuana is often considered a gateway drug because kids who try it may be tempted to experiment with stronger substances to achieve different effects. Certain drugs, such as PCP, can also be mixed with marijuana to make the high more intense. If you know that your teen is smoking pot, then you should find out if there are other forms of substance abuse in your child’s history. While you can ask them if they are using other drugs, you may need to seek a professional evaluation if they are not forthcoming. Keep in mind that teens often mix pot with alcohol, which can lead to coexisting addictions that must be treated at the same time.

5. Treat Any Underlying Causes

Teens do drugs for a variety of reasons. While some teens may use marijuana once out of curiosity or due to peer pressure, those who use it more often are likely trying to mask other issues.

For example, your teen may feel like using weed helps them to overcome their social anxiety. They may enjoy how it makes them feel cool or helps them to fit into a specific social group. Keep in mind that marijuana is not just used by kids who tend to get in trouble. Athletes, gifted students and popular kids are all vulnerable to falling prey to marijuana addiction, especially if they feel like it helps them to be a part of a group.

Your teen may also use marijuana to deal with serious mental health issues, and this is more common if they have never been diagnosed. Teens with anxiety may feel as though the pot helps them to stay calm, and kids with ADHD may like how they think it helps them to stay focused. While you may know that marijuana does more harm than good for these conditions, your teen may need to work with a professional counselor to learn how to cope with their mental health issues in healthier ways.

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is an addictive substance that has negative effects on a teenager’s health. When you suspect that your teen is smoking pot, be sure to take immediate action. With lots of talking and professional counseling, your teen can learn to live a happy life without relying upon substances to feel better.

View the original article at
6 November 2018
7 Common Signs and Symptoms of Teen Drug Use

Daily Drug Use Signals a Problem

While there are some surveys that indicate drug abuse among teenagers is decreasing, that does not mean the problem has gone away. It’s still common for teens to experiment with drug use for the purpose of fitting in, escaping from reality, or simply out of curiosity.

Could your teen be on the way to daily drug use? If you notice one or more of these seven signs of teen drug use in your child, it’s time to have a conversation with him or her and seek treatment if necessary.

Signs of Teen Drug Use

1. The Desire for Privacy Increases.

All teenagers want some private space and that is completely normal. For this reason, you should remember to knock before entering your teen’s room. However, when the need for privacy becomes extreme, it could be a sign of drug use. There are some distinct ways that this can manifest.

For example, a teen who is attempting to hide their drug use might not answer openly to questions such as, “When will you be home?” or, “Who is going to the party?” Instead, s/he might become defensive and seek distance. So, when a child who typically responds to these questions openly begins to view them as an invasion of privacy, it is a sign that something may be wrong.

2. Old Friends Fade Away and New Ones Take Over.

Childhood relationships don’t always make it through to adulthood. It’s a normal process if your child sees less of an old friend and begins to spend time with a new one. However, it becomes a concern if the entire crowd is replaced by new people.

This potential symptom of drug use is even more concerning when your child does not want you to meet those new friends. They might even get angry when you mention an old friend. This is because they understand that you may pick up on signs that those new buddies are involved in something that’s not in their best interest.

3. Hygiene and Clothing Habits Change.

Another sign that your teen is using drugs includes changes in dress or hygiene. For example, your child used to do a good job of taking a shower, brushing after meals, and using deodorant. Lately, that seems to happen a little less each week. At first, it was a shower skipped one night, then it becomes several days in between baths. Things like brushing the hair or even washing the face just aren’t important anymore.

Teen drug use may manifest through other changes. For instance, even clothing choices may change. Perhaps your child used to take pride in creating outfits with matching pieces and made sure they were clean and free or any rips or tears. Now, it’s no big deal to step out in clothing that hasn’t seen the inside of a washing machine in some time.

Less diligence with personal hygiene, including the clothing your teen wears, could mean that something else has become more important than being clean and looking good. That something could be one or more drugs.

4. Former Interests Are Replaced With New Ones or Nothing at All.

Hobbies and other interests do change over time. Typically, the changes are gradual rather than happening in quick succession. If your teen’s interests quickly change and the new interests seem to draw the teen further away from family and former friends, drugs may be involved.

You should also be concerned if those former interests are not replaced with anything at all. Apathy and lethargy can be symptoms of drug use.

A child who no longer finds joy in prior interests and would rather spend their time isolated or sleeping could be developing a serious drug dependency.

5. An Increased Need for Cash.

Your teen may get a certain allowance which they can spend as they wish. If they begin to ask for more money than usual, it’s possible they could be spending that money on drugs. They might even lie about what they need the money for. For example, they might ask for money to go see a movie but then not be able to present a ticket stub to you.

If a teen with a drug abuse problem is not able to get the money they need to support their habit, they may resort to stealing money. If you notice cash missing from your wallet, this could be a sign of drug use.

6. Things Disappear Around the House.

In addition to stealing money, teens addicted to drugs may also begin to steal items from their own house. Have you noticed any electronic devices, watches, jewelry, or other personal items missing from where they are normally stored? If so, it’s possible that your teen might have sold these items to raise money for drugs. When drug use becomes an addition, teens will do whatever it takes to get their hands on the drug. That includes stealing from people they love.

Keep in mind that if you mention the missing items, your teen may hint around that someone else is to blame while also denying any involvement. Be especially concerned if the denial comes with what appears to be an inordinate amount of anger. People with something to hide are more prone to respond in this manner when others are getting a little too close to the secret.

7. Grades and Attendance Have Declined.

Although drugs are not the only reason why your teen may start skipping classes or failing to do coursework, it is one of the more common reasons. While you want to keep a cool head, lower grades and reports that your child is not attending classes should be taken seriously. If the underlying cause is drugs, taking action now will save your teen from larger problems later on in life.

Teen Drug Use Can be Treated

You love your teen. You want the best for your child. If you see any of these symptoms developing, don’t write them off as being a natural part of adolescence.

Talk to your teen and find out if drugs are involved.

If your teen is taking drugs, know that help is available. Seek professional help for your teen and for yourself. With the aid of the right program, it’s possible for your teenager to recover from drug abuse and enjoy a productive life.

View the original article at

6 November 2018
"Fox & Friends" Pundit Blames Legal Pot For Teen Drug Use, Homelessness

Studies regarding marijuana’s impact on social concerns do not appear to support all of Joe Peters’ claims.

A guest on the popular Fox & Friends morning news and opinion program appeared to lay the blame for a host of social ills, from increased drug use among teens to emergency room visits and even homelessness, on marijuana legalization during a recent appearance.

Joe Peters, a former Pennsylvania police officer, federal prosecutor and White House Drug Czar official, suggested that efforts to legalize marijuana in the United States like the recent legislation in Canada would send numbers for the aforementioned issues, as well as impaired driving, to stratospheric levels.

However, as High Times reported, studies regarding marijuana’s impact on these and other concerns did not appear to support all of Peters’ claims.

Peters, who is a current Congressional candidate for Pennsylvania’s 11th District, was a guest on an October 19, 2018 broadcast of Fox & Friends which examined possible outcomes for marijuana legalization in the U.S. Co-host Steve Doocy put forward the question about whether such a move would be beneficial for the country, which prompted Peters to point to alleged troubles in the state of Colorado as evidence for the dangers of legalization.

“By every metric, it was a failure, in my view,” said Peters. “Teen drug use is the highest in the country. Drug driving is off the charts, doubled with marijuana impaired driving. Homelessness is up. Emergency room admissions. And the black market is flourishing. Black market arrests – remember the whole notion was we legalize it, we can control it. Black market arrests are up almost 400%.”

Some of Peters’ assessments are, in part, correct. Federal and local law enforcement have both noted an increase in instances of trafficking in the Centennial State, but the majority of these cases involve the distribution of marijuana to other states like Florida and Texas, where legalization efforts have not taken root.

Trafficking on the local level has also continued due to dispensary prices – taxes, which range from municipality, can reach 23.15% – which local dealers can easily undercut.

Statistics have also shown an increase in Colorado traffic fatalities involving marijuana, but again, these results are conflicting: while the number of fatal vehicular accidents who tested positive for marijuana has risen from 75 in 2014 to 139 in 2017, the number of those fatalities in which the active THC level in the driver’s system could be considered at the level of legal impairment dropped from 52 in 2016 to 35 in 2017.

But as High Times pointed out, Peters’ other allegations lack concrete evidence. Studies have shown that while cannabis consumption among teenagers inched up 1.3% between 2016 and 2017, the increase in marijuana dispensaries in states like Colorado has had no impact on teenagers’ use.

Legal marijuana also appears to have had no effect on rates of homelessness in Colorado; a 2016 study of residents in the city of Pueblo, Colorado found that disconnected utilities, not legal marijuana, was the leading cause of homelessness there.

View the original article at thefix.com

23 October 2018
Meth Use Rises Among Youth, Heroin Use Declines

The results of a new survey from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration revealed some positive movement for the opioid crisis.

In another reminder of how complicated addiction and addiction treatment is, compiled survey results from 67,500 Americans in 2017 found that while new heroin users in certain age groups have almost declined by half, methamphetamine and marijuana use has increased.

The survey, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, (SAMHSA) parsed survey takers by age groups, types of drugs used, amounts of drugs used, and the starting point for the usage or abuse of each drug.

The most dramatic, positive findings were around new heroin users; 81,000 reported using heroin for the first time in 2017, less than half of the 170,000 reported the year before.

However, when looking at the age group of 18-25, the decline in new heroin users was “almost imperceptible” according to USA Today.

The 18 to 25 category also reported less prescription opioid abuse. SAMHSA estimated that in 2015 8.5% of people in this vulnerable age range misused prescription opioids; In 2017 the percentage was at 7.

Yet marijuana and meth use for youths 12-17 increased from all previous years. Marijuana use for both youth and adults was associated with opioid use, heavy alcohol use, and major depressive episodes.

The concerning effects of heavy marijuana use on mental illness has been somewhat put to the backburner as popular culture embraces the positive aspects of the drug. Some research show a direct correlation between marijuana overuse and mental distress and illness.

With all the publicity surrounding deaths from heroin laced with fentanyl, addiction specialist Sally Satel says most addiction experts had anticipated a move away from opioids and toward another drug.

“I was waiting for this,” Satel told USA Today, “This is how it works. People still want to alter their mental state. So they look for what’s cheap and what’s available and the reputation of the drug.”

Jim Beiting, CEO of Transitions, Northern Kentucky’s largest drug treatment and recovery organization, told USA Today that meth is “magnetic” for people with addiction trying to move from opioids. “It’s cheaper,” he says. “It’s more readily available, (and) the potency is higher than it used to be.”

Other positive news from the SAMHSA report reveals that more people struggling with heroin addiction are seeking treatment, up 53.7% from previous years. This seems to reflect on the increased funding, country-wide, into access and quality of addiction treatment services.

The news is mixed but overall illuminates how bad the addiction crisis remains in our country. James Carrol, acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told the Washington Times, “Use of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine are all up. So we aren’t just in an opioids crisis. It’s an addiction crisis.”

View the original article at thefix.com

19 September 2018