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A year ago, Dustin, 15, was arrested for smoking marijuana between classes. At school, he says, “Weed’s no big deal, everybody does it.”
Three years ago, as part of the Healthy People 2010 project, the federal government set a national goal to decrease the number of teens smoking marijuana to less than one percent by 2010. Meanwhile, public opinion seems to be swinging the other way.
At one recent Democratic Presidential Debate, candidates were asked if they had ever smoked marijuana. Those who answered ‘yes,’ received applause; those who answered ‘no,’ gave explanations. Senator Joe Liberman even apologized, joking, “I have a reputation for giving unpopular answers in Democratic debates. I never used marijuana, sorry.”
According to a 2002 poll commissioned by CNN/Time, 34 percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, up from just 18 percent in 1986. Some experts say all this shift in public opinion may be encouraging some kids to ‘experiment’ with marijuana. “Marijuana use has been increasing over the last several years since about 1990 and is now approaching levels that were seen in the 1970s,” says Dr. John Mendelson, an addictive drug researcher.
Meanwhile, ironically, Mendelson says the medical evidence against marijuana use is clearer today than ever before. The short-term effects of marijuana use include memory problems, loss of coordination and increased heart rate. Over the long term it can mean respiratory problems, a weakened immune system and learning problems. “Particularly given the modern evidence that there is, that marijuana can produce, in particularly high doses, cognitive impairments, and can be associated with decreased graduation from high school. I think those are pretty solid indicators, and you ought to do something about it,” Mendelson says.
Dustin’s parents did come down hard. He performed community service, went on probation, and was grounded for months.
“I think he’s learned that we took it a lot more seriously than he ever thought we would,” says Michelle Vado, Dustin’s mother.
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Why do some children and young teens start smoking marijuana? There isn’t one reason at which you can point the finger. Many young people smoke marijuana because they see their friends or family members using it. Some use marijuana because of peer pressure. Others may think it’s cool to use marijuana because they hear songs about it and see it on television and in movies. Some may feel they need marijuana and other drugs to help them escape from problems at home, at school, or with friends.
No matter how many shirts and caps you see printed with the marijuana leaf, or how many groups sing about it, remember to remind your son or daughter of this: They don’t have to use marijuana just because they think everybody else is doing it. Most teenagers do not use marijuana. In fact, a recent study shows that only eight percent of teenagers have used marijuana over the last month.
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Marijuana, the most often used illegal drug in this country, is a green or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. It is addictive and is known to have both short- and long-term negative effects on the body. The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention cites the following health problems associated with marijuana use:
Short term:
- Problems with memory and learning
- Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch, etc.)
- Trouble with thinking and problem-solving
- Loss of coordination
- Increased heart rate and anxiety
Long term:
- Cancer – Smoking five joints a week is equivalent to smoking a whole pack of cigarettes a week.
- Lungs and airways – Breathing problems include coughing, wheezing and a greater risk of lung infections.
- Immune system – Continued use weakens the immune system, placing an individual at greater risk of sickness.
- Reproductive system – Using marijuana increases testosterone levels in women and decreases testosterone levels in men, presents a risk of infertility in women and delays the onset of puberty in men and leads to decreased sperm production and quality.
How can you recognize if your teen is using marijuana? The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) suggests looking for the following physical signs in your teen:
- Seems dizzy and has trouble walking
- Seems silly and giggles for no reason
- Has very red, bloodshot eyes
- Has a hard time remembering things that just happened
- Becomes very sleepy as the early effects of use begin to fade
The NIDA says that you should also be aware of the following changes in behavior that may indicate marijuana use in your teen:
- Withdrawal
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Carelessness with grooming
- Hostility and deteriorating relationships with family members and friends
- Changes in academic performance
- Increased absenteeism or truancy
- Lost interest in sports or other favorite activities
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Signs of drugs and drug paraphernalia, including pipes and rolling papers
- Odor on clothes and in the bedroom
- Use of incense and other deodorizers
- Increased use of eye drops
- Clothing, posters, jewelry, etc., promoting drug use
If you suspect that your teen has a drug problem, it is important that you seek immediate treatment. Consult a psychiatrist or mental health professional when making decisions about substance abuse treatment for your teen. Remember that recovery from an addiction is a long-term process and may require frequent and multiple episodes of treatment.
As a parent, you have the most influence over your teen’s choice to use drugs. Therefore, it is important that you address the topic of drug use early and often. Don’t wait until your teen has a problem with drugs before you bring up the discussion. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America offers these additional strategies for preventing drug use in your teen:
- Be involved in your teen’s life. Ask who, what, when and where – Know who your teen’s friends are, what your teen is doing, when he or she will be home and where he or she is going.
- Spend quality time with your teen. Eat dinner together, listen to music, watch a ball game or share chores.
- Set a firm rule of no drug use in your family.
- Commit yourself to a drug-free lifestyle. You are your teen’s most important role model. He or she notices everything you do.
- Share your values with your teen. Sometimes it’s as simple as letting your teen know that you don’t want him or her using marijuana.
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