Pubdate: Tue, 17 Aug 2004 Source: Laurel Leader-Call (MS) Copyright: 2004 Laurel Leader-Call Contact: http://www.leadercall.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1662 Author: Colby Livingston, Teen Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING 40 Percent Of American Teens Claim That They Will Use Drugs In The Future Pain pills. Anti-depressants. Stim-ulants. All these medications have been jotted down on death certificates more than 100 times this year alone, and for whom? The teenagers of Mississippi and the United States. Studies show that 40 percent of American teens claim that they will use drugs in the future, and one out of five eighth graders (roughly 13 to 14 years of age) have already used marijuana. According to the 1999 Household Survey, more than 1.6 million Americans have used pain pills for something other than medical reasons. From 1990 to 1998, the number of new pain pill users increased 181 percent. In 1999, the number of prescription pill abusers and users totaled more than 4 million. Stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine are only two types of pills that can, when abused by teenagers with still developing hearts, minds and bodily organs, can produce the same effect as methamphetamine and other illegal drugs. "Dextromethorphan, which is an active ingredient in most cough remedies and is often called DXM, can be a dangerous thing," said Maher Karam-Hage, MD, who is a clinical assistant professor in the University of Michigan Medical School's Depart-ment of Psychiatry. "Because it's over-the-counter, teenagers or even adults think they can use as much as they want without any problem. But that can be very, very dangerous and can become a major addiction by itself." Adolescents of today are a danger to themselves with these medications, which have been deemed saint-like. If used properly, today's medical travelings have helped save lives. The regions of the brain that govern impulses and motivation are not yet fully formed in people under 21. According to the National Drug Abuse center, drug addiction can be defined as a complex brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and on behavior. For many, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence. How long it takes to become addicted, however, varies by the teen. If and how quickly one might become addicted to a drug depends on many factors, including genes (which are inherited from parents) and the body's biology. All drugs are potentially harmful and may have life-threatening consequences associated with their use. There are also vast differences among individuals in sensitivity to various drugs. While one person may use a drug one or many times and suffer no ill effects, another person may be particularly vulnerable and overdose with the first use. If you, or anyone you know, needs help with drug abuse, call the International Drug Abuse Hotline at (866) 784-8411 to find the right rehab center near you. Too much of a good thing By Colby Livingston, Teen Staff Writer 40 percent of American teens claim that they will use drugs in the future Pain pills. Anti-depressants. Stim-ulants. All these medications have been jotted down on death certificates more than 100 times this year alone, and for whom? The teenagers of Mississippi and the United States. Studies show that 40 percent of American teens claim that they will use drugs in the future, and one out of five eighth graders (roughly 13 to 14 years of age) have already used marijuana. According to the 1999 Household Survey, more than 1.6 million Americans have used pain pills for something other than medical reasons. From 1990 to 1998, the number of new pain pill users increased 181 percent. In 1999, the number of prescription pill abusers and users totaled more than 4 million. Stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine are only two types of pills that can, when abused by teenagers with still developing hearts, minds and bodily organs, can produce the same effect as methamphetamine and other illegal drugs. "Dextromethorphan, which is an active ingredient in most cough remedies and is often called DXM, can be a dangerous thing," said Maher Karam-Hage, MD, who is a clinical assistant professor in the University of Michigan Medical School's Depart-ment of Psychiatry. "Because it's over-the-counter, teenagers or even adults think they can use as much as they want without any problem. But that can be very, very dangerous and can become a major addiction by itself." Adolescents of today are a danger to themselves with these medications, which have been deemed saint-like. If used properly, today's medical travelings have helped save lives. The regions of the brain that govern impulses and motivation are not yet fully formed in people under 21. According to the National Drug Abuse center, drug addiction can be defined as a complex brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and on behavior. For many, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence. How long it takes to become addicted, however, varies by the teen. If and how quickly one might become addicted to a drug depends on many factors, including genes (which are inherited from parents) and the body's biology. All drugs are potentially harmful and may have life-threatening consequences associated with their use. There are also vast differences among individuals in sensitivity to various drugs. While one person may use a drug one or many times and suffer no ill effects, another person may be particularly vulnerable and overdose with the first use. If you, or anyone you know, needs help with drug abuse, call the International Drug Abuse Hotline at (866) 784-8411 to find the right rehab center near you. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D