Nearly 25% of all High-School Seniors have Smoked Pot
Get help for your teen who is addicted to smoking pot!
A recent survey of high-school students has found than nearly a quarter of the nation’s twelfth graders have smoked pot in the past 30 days and nearly 40% of them report having smoked marijuana in the past year. The survey also found that nearly 10% of high school seniors report smoking pot regularly—on a daily basis.
While the numbers were significantly lower for those in tenth grade—with only 17% reporting use of marijuana in the past 30 days and less than 5% smoking pot on a daily basis, there is still reason for alarm at these statistics. Marijuana, though not typically deadly in and of itself, has long been considered the “gateway drug” which leads to the use of other more serious drugs. Additionally, young people who smoke pot can suffer from a lower IQ, reduced cognitive abilities in adulthood and other long term consequences.
Unfortunately, many high school students do not perceive marijuana as a dangerous or harmful drug and this misconception has led to an increase in the use of the drug amongst those in 10-12th grades. In fact, a survey has found that only 41% of eighth graders believe that occasional use of marijuana is dangerous and less than 70% believe that regular use of pot is harmful—these numbers are significantly lower than those from the early 1990s.
Studies show that almost all 12 graders (80% anyway) believe that it’s safe to smoke pot on occasion with little risk and less than half believe that regular use of marijuana could be harmful. These are the lowest rates we’ve seen since before the 80s.
Teens should be better informed about the dangers and risks associated with marijuana use. Heavy use of marijuana during the adolescent years can lead to long term consequences including:
increased risk of becoming involved with alcohol or more dangerous drugs
increased risk of ADD, ADHD or other deficit disorders
increased risk of cancer
cognitive disorders
lowered IQ
Additionally, studies show that as many as 90% of addictions have their roots in the teenage years when children or adolescents first begin to test the waters of substance abuse. Smoking pot can have a major impact on the risk of a teen becoming addicted to other, more serious drugs in the future.
If you think that your teen is smoking pot or if you know a teen who smokes marijuana regularly, consider seeking professional help. Rehab centers for teens can provide guidance and education to teens in an effort to help them better understand the dangers associated with smoking pot.
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