Pubdate: Mon, 26 Dec 2005
Source: Lompoc Record (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Pulitzer Central Coast Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.lompocrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/242

TEENS AND DRUGS: SOME GOOD NEWS

An annual teen drug-use survey has been released and  the news is 
mostly positive.

The survey by the University of Michigan involving  50,000 teens 
nationwide found that more kids are just  saying no to cigarettes, 
alcohol and illegal drugs. The  not-so-good news is that teens' use 
of prescription  drugs is not going down.

The survey tracked the habits of teens from the eighth  to 12th 
grades. The survey originated in 1975, so there  is a fairly reliable 
base upon which to make  comparisons.

Among the findings: Lifetime use of cigarettes declined  2 percent 
among eighth-graders, 1.7 percent among  10th-graders, and 2.8 
percent among seniors. Alcohol  use declined an average of about 2 
percent for all  grade categories.

Drug use in general dropped nearly 20 percent in the  past four 
years, which researchers believe is a  reflection of anti-drug 
campaigns in schools and  communities.

And while the survey shows use of prescription drugs,  such as 
amphetamines and pain killers, to have remained  constant, the good 
news is that these are mostly items  that can be found in the family 
medicine cabinet - and  thus in a place over which parents have control.

Parents are the first line of defense against children  abusing 
cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. It's up to mom  and dad and other 
family members to be aware of  behavioral changes in children, 
especially teens, and  to intervene as soon as you spot a potential problem.

Scientists know that the teen brain is particularly  vulnerable to 
drug abuse, and that if a youngster is  allowed to continue 
undeterred on that path of abuse,  there's a far greater chance the 
substance abuse will  continue into adulthood.

Watch for the signs, and don't hesitate to speak up if  you think 
it's necessary.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman