What is the most popular used drug amongst the youth of today? The answer - Marijuana. Not much different from previous generations, marijuana remains the drug of choice among 60% of the youth that use drugs.
In the 60’s when marijuana stood as an icon of the era, the drug was far less potent then it is today. Today, the youth buying marijuana on the streets can easily find them selves in possession of marijuana that has been laced with other more potent drugs. Yearly, 100,000 teens are treated for marijuana dependency and with that dependency comes withdrawal. Although withdrawal of marijuana dependency is not near as severe as many other drugs, there are still physically symptoms associated with it.
Marijuana has always been proven a gateway to harder drugs and should never be looked at as “just a phase” ones youth may be experiencing. Research has proven that the earlier teens start using marijuana the more likely they are to become dependent upon marijuana or other drugs later in life.
Although a small percentage may try marijuana out of curiosity and never use it again, others use it as an escape or to fit in amongst peers and develop a dependency to it. There are various reasons why a teen may start using from home life difficulties to simple curiosity. The key is to know your child at all levels so you can quickly determine if drugs have become a part of their life. By having an open communication line to where your child feels safe in coming to you if they have tried marijuana even out of curiosity can make the difference between a one time thing to a dependency that can lead to harder drugs.
Some of the signs teenagers exhibit when using marijuana are: dizziness and trouble walking, red bloodshot eyes, trouble remembering things that just happened, sleepy, and they often appear silly and giggly for no apparent reason. Some teens feel no effects from marijuana the first few times they smoke it. Others can sometimes experience bad effects from marijuana. They may become highly paranoid or have feelings of anxiety or dizziness (N.I.D.A.).
There are many mixed messages being sent out to the youth today about marijuana use. It is up to the guardians to make sure the correct message is being sent - marijuana is an illegal substance that affects teens in many harmful ways. The earlier you start discussing marijuana and other drugs with your children, being open and honest with them, and letting them know you are available to them for discussion at anytime you automatically lower the statistics of your child becoming dependent upon any drug.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Showing posts with label teen drug abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teen drug abuse. Show all posts
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Do you know where your teen is at?
More and more teen centered clubs are opening up in communities both small and large. The idea behind them at first were very honorable, and although there are still some of those teen clubs that are providing what they promised to deliver, more have gone far astray.
Initially, when the new late night teen clubs started to surface, the idea behind them was to provide a safe place for teens to “hang out” rather then be on the street finding mischief or worse. Kids over 19 were not allowed and supervision was provided. The “clubs” were housed with video games, couches, pool tables, music systems and most had a dance floor. They were a place for the teens to hangout for cheap on weekend nights and during the summer. Some during the summer were open to the youth throughout the day as well during the summer months. The concept was great, but it didn’t take long for corruption to find its way in.
Teen youth clubs might as well have a big ol’ “X” on it because it was an easy target for the less desirables looking to make a score and a huge profit – the drug dealers. If the dealers were not hanging out near by to entice the youth to enhance their “clubbing” experience, they were buying into the concept totally and opening their own “youth clubs.” It was fresh clientele for them, clientele that was very vulnerable. Many of the youth that frequent youth clubs do not have much guidance at home. The clubs were a cheap babysitter for parents that had other things on their agenda then spending time with their youth. Some parents put their trust into the concept and just thought of the youth clubs just a great place for their children to hang out with their friends.
For those clubs infiltrated with drugs and alcohol, both the inattentive and the attentive trusting parents found out the hard way that entrusting or just assuming a place is a safe place for their child to hang out can be dramatically opposite. In addition, sadly to say, it is not just the teen clubs that can have danger lurking within or near. Movie theaters, bowling alleys, pool halls, and video arcades are places that can be just as dangerous for teens in groups without supervision.
Supervision cannot be mistaken the same as employees or owners of these types of establishments. They have no real invested interest in your child other than the money your child brings to the establishment. Unless you know the owner/employee personally, supervision means a parent or relative of the youth that actually does have a stake in the child’s well being.
Prevention is the best gift you could ever give your youth. As a parent you should check on your child and make sure that the places they frequent are safe and in good standards. Know what is going on in your teen’s life. Not just what their grades are at school, but on a personal level as well.
If you suspect that your teenager is involved with drugs, get the facts, stay informed, know the risks, and seek help.
If you need help, struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Initially, when the new late night teen clubs started to surface, the idea behind them was to provide a safe place for teens to “hang out” rather then be on the street finding mischief or worse. Kids over 19 were not allowed and supervision was provided. The “clubs” were housed with video games, couches, pool tables, music systems and most had a dance floor. They were a place for the teens to hangout for cheap on weekend nights and during the summer. Some during the summer were open to the youth throughout the day as well during the summer months. The concept was great, but it didn’t take long for corruption to find its way in.
Teen youth clubs might as well have a big ol’ “X” on it because it was an easy target for the less desirables looking to make a score and a huge profit – the drug dealers. If the dealers were not hanging out near by to entice the youth to enhance their “clubbing” experience, they were buying into the concept totally and opening their own “youth clubs.” It was fresh clientele for them, clientele that was very vulnerable. Many of the youth that frequent youth clubs do not have much guidance at home. The clubs were a cheap babysitter for parents that had other things on their agenda then spending time with their youth. Some parents put their trust into the concept and just thought of the youth clubs just a great place for their children to hang out with their friends.
For those clubs infiltrated with drugs and alcohol, both the inattentive and the attentive trusting parents found out the hard way that entrusting or just assuming a place is a safe place for their child to hang out can be dramatically opposite. In addition, sadly to say, it is not just the teen clubs that can have danger lurking within or near. Movie theaters, bowling alleys, pool halls, and video arcades are places that can be just as dangerous for teens in groups without supervision.
Supervision cannot be mistaken the same as employees or owners of these types of establishments. They have no real invested interest in your child other than the money your child brings to the establishment. Unless you know the owner/employee personally, supervision means a parent or relative of the youth that actually does have a stake in the child’s well being.
Prevention is the best gift you could ever give your youth. As a parent you should check on your child and make sure that the places they frequent are safe and in good standards. Know what is going on in your teen’s life. Not just what their grades are at school, but on a personal level as well.
If you suspect that your teenager is involved with drugs, get the facts, stay informed, know the risks, and seek help.
If you need help, struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ABTomorrow
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