Teen Drug Use = Are Parents to Blame?

The availability of prescription drugs and marijuana has increased dramatically, and parental attitudes play a pivotal role in keeping teens away from substance abuse. Some conclusions about teen drug use were announced in an August 2008 press release from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

CASA recently published the results of its eighth annual National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse. According to the study, more teens are now saying that prescription drugs are easier to obtain than beer. Disturbingly, one-third (34%) of teens reported getting prescription drugs from “home, parents, or the medicine cabinet.” Other sources included friends or classmates (31%), other (16%), and from a drug dealer (9%).

In addition, the survey points to parental attitudes as a strong predictor of teen involvement with substance abuse. According to the survey, “…problem parents — those who fail to monitor their children’s school night activities, safeguard their prescription drugs, address the problem of drugs in their children’s schools, and set good examples — increase the risk that their 12- to 17-year-old children will smoke, drink, and use illegal and prescription drugs.”

Experts at the center recommend that parents increase supervision of teens at night, and closely monitor prescription substances kept in the home. The survey found a correlation between adolescents who were allowed to stay out later on school nights and higher rates of drug and alcohol use. (Source: casacolumbia.org)

posted by Vee @ 10:38 AM