Teen Meth, Pot Abuse on the Decline

Teen Meth, Pot Abuse on the Decline

Teenagers are cutting back in their use of marijuana and methamphetamine, according to a study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Methamphetamine use decreased by 25 percent since 2005, and is now used by three percent of teens. Marijuana use declined 24 percent since 1988.

The Partnership attributed the decline to more communication about drugs between parents and adolescents. The survey indicated that 37 percent of teens learn about drugs from their parents, and that group is 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs.

However, abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrups shows no decline. One in five teens or a projected 4.7 million said they tried these drugs at least once, and a projected 2.5 million used them in the past year.

"This risky behavior is still not in the parent's radar, many of whom don't realize that when abused or used without prescriptions, these medications are every bit as dangerous as illegal drugs," said Connie Berhost, an executive with a Missouri drug action center for teens.

Labels: drugs, meth, pot

posted by Aspen Education Group @ 9:08 PM