Adolescence is a crucial time to preventing drug abuse. Studies show us that the earlier someone uses drugs or alcohol the more at risk they are for developing serious addiction problems later in life. There are many variables that affect teens that make them vulnerable to drug abuse such as: the desire to engage in risky behavior, their brain’s judgement and decision-making skills are still developing, and it’s a natural time of transition for them.
This is why the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) started National Drug Facts Week this week in 2010. The goal of this week is to shatter the myths surrounding drug use that teens get from the internet, TV, movies, music or from other teens, and work towards preventing drug abuse among teens. It offers teens, their teachers and parents resources to learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. And what they’re finding is that teens who are equipped with this knowledge make more informed and responsible decisions when it comes to drug use. Visit their website for easy accessible information and have your teen take the National Drug IQ Test.
Not only does early drug use put a teen at risk for developing more serious drug or alcohol problems later in life, but it can also have more immediate consequences as well. Drugs and alcohol disrupt brain function in areas that control memory, learning, motivation, judgment and behavior. This can coincide or lead to family and school problems, health-related problems (including mental health), poor academic performance, and trouble with the law.
When preventing drug abuse, it’s important to have honest conversations with teens about how drugs affects their brain, body and behavior. Get the facts! Here are some sample questions that NIDA provides to help get the conversation going:
- How many times do you have to take a drug before you are abusing it?
- What are the long-term effects of marijuana?
- Why do people get addicted to cigarettes?
- How do I know if a friend is in trouble with drugs and who can I talk to about it?
- Is marijuana addictive?
- How can I tell if someone is using drugs?
- How effective is drug treatment? Why do celebrities go back to rehab again and again?
- Can you get addicted to a drug after one try?
- Are drugs on the street more dangerous today than they were 20 years ago?
- Some of my friends drink a lot of cough medicine to get high. Is that dangerous?
- I have friends who get high on uppers and drink alcohol to bring them down. Is this safe?
- Does marijuana affect driving?
- What is the difference between cocaine and crack?
