Sunday 10 January 2016

Marijuana gaining popularity among teens

Marijuana gaining popularity among teens

By KAmie Stephen 
Marijuana use in teenagers in the area seems to be on the rise, according to Marlo Roberts, coordinator of Community Connections Substance Abuse Prevention program. The organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) claims that usage may be fueled by the commercialization of the drug.

“There’s definitely been an increase since marijuana became legal in Colorado,” Roberts said. “We know that when the availability of a drug increases, perception of less or no harm and increased use also occur.”

Purchasing, selling and possessing marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, but some states have passed laws allowing the drug to be used as a medical treatment; four states and Washington, D.C., have also legalized marijuana for recreational use. In states where recreational use is allowed, people under 21 are prohibited from using the drug.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use can have negative impacts on developing brains. The NIDA states that the effect of the drug on the brain may lead to problems studying, learning new things and recalling recent events. Parts of the brain that help with balance, coordination and movement are also effected by THC.

Roberts said there is a risk for addiction and that marijuana use has been shown to lead to the use of other more dangerous drugs.

“One in six adolescents that use marijuana develop an addiction, and use is associated with lower IQ, lower grades and higher dropout rates in that same population,” said Dr. Stu Gitlow, past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine in a statement released last month.

The potential risks don’t seem to deter teens from using marijuana. The nation’s annual school survey of drug use, called Monitoring the Future, reports that marijuana use among adolescents including what they consider “heavy use” has risen significantly since 2008.

“This year’s survey shows how, in an era of falling overall drug, cigarette and alcohol use — an achievement made possible by years of effort and millions of dollars of public funding — marijuana use among kids remains strong,” said Dr. Kevin A. Sabet in a December press release. Sabet is a former White House drug policy advisor who now serves as president of SAM.

The survey numbers may be wrong, because it didn’t include data from high school dropouts or the use of products such as waxes or edibles, SAM officials said. The organization stated the actual number of teens who are using the drug may be higher than what the survey shows.

Sabet believes the commercialization has played a significant role in the increased use, despite efforts encouraging teens to say “no.” According to Sabet, part of the blame belongs to the industry creating products that appeal to teens, such as marijuana-laced candy.

“[The marijauna industry] has counteracted the hard work and advances made by drug prevention advocates, all in the favor of financial gain,” Sabet stated.

According to statements from organizations such as the American Medical Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Psychiatric Association, marijuana use, especially among youth, should be avoided, and legalization efforts opposed.

Roberts states that parents should be asking their kids questions about where they are, what they’re doing and who they are with. They should know what the drug looks and smells like. If they suspect their child is using drugs, they should try to have an open conversation and find out why. Roberts pointed out that there are resources for parents in North Platte and across the state.

In an effort to encourage prevention on a local level, Community Connections has partnered with SAM and has invited Jeff Zinsmeister, SAM’s executive vice president, to speak to local citizens about the dangers of medical marijuana. However, a date has not yet been set for the presentation.

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