Recent news by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration SAMHA raises awareness about the dangers of kids and inhalant use. No one likes to hear about drug use amongst 12-year-olds, as it is a frightening thought for all parents. Even so, the fact remains that 1.4% of this age group have used marijuana, 0.7% hallucinogens, and .01% cocaine. Although these statistics are alarming, they pale in comparison to the number of 12-year-olds who are huffing, or inhaling common household substances to get high. Many young kids do not realize that huffing can lead to brain damage or death.
Nearly 7% of all 12-year-olds have used an inhalant to get high. This is even more than the 5.2% who have smoked cigarettes. The trend appears to be growing popularity in these kids, as toxic chemicals are accessible and legal. Paint thinner, nail polish, cleaning supplies, glue, and gasoline are all commonly abused inhalants that are located in almost every home and garage across America. An awareness has been made for the need to prevent such a young age group from getting seriously injured or dying as a result of huffing.
Many parents don't realize that 12 is considered the gate-way age for inhalant use. As a result, young kids are not always taught the dangers of huffing. The truth of the matter is that sudden death can occur from even a single time of using an inhalant. It can cause cardiac arrest or asphyxiation. Plus, huffing is addictive and often results in damage to brain tissue. Surveys show that young people do not perceive these risks accurately. Therefore, they may be likely to say no to illegal drugs, while assuming that huffing isn't so bad.
Middle school is a trying time in a kids life. Most kids are concerned about fitting in and growing into adolescence. Many of them will succumb to peer pressure, as they have not developed the maturity for good decision making. This is one of the reasons why drug use at such a young age is a major concern. As a result of the SAMHA's new study, efforts are being made by several organizations to focus on prevention of inhalant abuse in the 12-year-old age group. Hopefully, by raising awareness about huffing, the alarming statistics will drop and these young kids will be safer.
Showing posts with label cocaine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cocaine. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, December 14, 2009
New Teen Drug Statistics Show Meth Use Down
A new drug report issued today, by the U.S. National Institute on drug abuse, indicates that fewer teens are using methamphetamine, but marijuana and prescription drug use still remains high.
The use of newer drugs, such as the hallucinogenic salvia leaf and the prescription drug Adderall, seems to be gaining in popularity. Salvia is a leaf that may be chewed, smoked, or taken as a tincture, and Adderall is a medication used to treat ADHD. More than 5% of 10th and 12th graders who did not have ADHD admitted using Adderall to get high in the past year.
Daily smoking is reportedly down in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders since 1996. 8th graders dropped from 10.4% to just 2.7%. Since 1997, high school seniors that said they smoked daily has been cut in half, from 24% to 11.2%. However, the use of smokeless tobacco has risen.
Prescription painkiller abuse is on the rise. For example, almost 1 in 10 high school seniors admit they used the narcotic painkiller Vicodin, and 1 in 20 said they used OxyContin as least once in the last year. 19% of teens said they got the prescription drugs from their doctor, 8% from dealers, and 66% from friends or relatives. Sadly, 12% said they "took" them, 21% bought them, and 33% said someone gave them the drugs.
The report shows progress against teen stimulant use, including cocaine and hallucinogens. However, many adolescents are still abusing prescription drugs and cough syrup, such as DXM. In fact, of the 10 most popular drugs used by 12th graders, seven of them were either prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.
These reports often come with some good and some bad news, but the fact that we can now take a look at these drug statistics and see what may, or may not, be working to help this problem is promising.
The use of newer drugs, such as the hallucinogenic salvia leaf and the prescription drug Adderall, seems to be gaining in popularity. Salvia is a leaf that may be chewed, smoked, or taken as a tincture, and Adderall is a medication used to treat ADHD. More than 5% of 10th and 12th graders who did not have ADHD admitted using Adderall to get high in the past year.
Daily smoking is reportedly down in 8th, 10th, and 12th graders since 1996. 8th graders dropped from 10.4% to just 2.7%. Since 1997, high school seniors that said they smoked daily has been cut in half, from 24% to 11.2%. However, the use of smokeless tobacco has risen.
Prescription painkiller abuse is on the rise. For example, almost 1 in 10 high school seniors admit they used the narcotic painkiller Vicodin, and 1 in 20 said they used OxyContin as least once in the last year. 19% of teens said they got the prescription drugs from their doctor, 8% from dealers, and 66% from friends or relatives. Sadly, 12% said they "took" them, 21% bought them, and 33% said someone gave them the drugs.
The report shows progress against teen stimulant use, including cocaine and hallucinogens. However, many adolescents are still abusing prescription drugs and cough syrup, such as DXM. In fact, of the 10 most popular drugs used by 12th graders, seven of them were either prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.
These reports often come with some good and some bad news, but the fact that we can now take a look at these drug statistics and see what may, or may not, be working to help this problem is promising.
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