Teen Drug Help
Alcohol Linked to Rise in Fatal Car Crashes Involving Young Women
New research indicates that alcohol is becoming an increasingly important factor in the number of fatal car crashes involving young women drivers in the United States. In 2007 alone, alcohol-related crashes accounted for almost one-third of all fatal car crashes in the United States.
The new research, which was recently published in the journal Injury Prevention, included an analysis of data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on fatal road traffic collisions for the years 1995 to 2007. The study shows that the increase in the proportion of young female drivers with a positive blood alcohol test involved in a fatal collision was greater (3.1%) than it was for young male drivers (1.2%).
In addition, the increase in the proportion of young drivers involved in fatal crashes with positive blood alcohol tests at all times of the week was greater among young women than it was among young men. The rate increased by 3.5% on weekdays and 2.2% on weekends among young women. By contrast, it rose by 1.5% on weekdays and 0.4% on weekends among young men.
(Source: sciencedaily.com)
Labels: alcohol, car accidents
Lack of Sleep Linked to Teen Drug Use
According to a new study by researchers at the University of San Diego and Harvard University, teens who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to use illegal drugs.
For the study, the researchers tracked the drug use and sleep patterns of more than 8,000 teens. They found that social networks significantly influenced both sleep patterns and drug use among study participants. For example, teens with a friend who sleeps less than seven hours per night are 11 percent more likely to sleep less than seven hours per night. In addition, teens with a friend who sleeps less than seven hours per night are 19 percent more likely to use marijuana.
Researchers found that teens with a friend who uses marijuana are almost twice as likely to use marijuana themselves. Study results also indicated that lack of sleep might be linked to increased alcohol use by teens.
The study authors commented: "Adolescents are embedded in complex social networks and are especially vulnerable to peer effects -- possibly not only with respect to drugs, but also with respect to sleep."
(Source: news.yahoo.com)
Labels: sleep, teen drug use
Prescription Drug Abuse Increasing Among South Dakota Teens
Approximately one in five teens has used a prescription medication for recreational purposes. According to a local treatment provider in Sioux Falls, S.D., area teens are following this trend.
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in Sioux Falls, according to treatment expert Ben Granville. Granville says local high school students regularly use such prescription medications as hydrocodone, Ritalin, Xanax and Oxycontin. Granville says that many teens will take any prescription medication to get high, but are in danger of experiencing unanticipated and dangerous side effects, such as a slowed heart rate.
Granville says that many teens obtain the drugs from their parents' or relatives' medicine cabinets. In addition, students who have prescriptions for drugs such as Ritalin have been known to sell the drugs at school for as much as $30-$40 per pill.
Technology also aids access to prescription drugs. Teens text one another when drugs are available at school. Granville and other treatment providers urge parents to be aware that prescription drugs are easily accessible to their children.
(Source: ksfy.com)
Labels: prescription drugs
Painkiller Abusers Often Rely on 'Leftovers' from Friends, Report Says
According to a 2008 study, which is appearing this week in the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, almost all abusers of opioid painkillers obtain the drugs from a friend or family member who had a prescription.
The study, conducted in Utah, involved 5,300 adults. Of the 2 percent of adults who reported using an opioid painkiller not prescribed to them, 97 percent reported obtaining the drug from a friend or family member. And most of the time the friend or family member gave them the drug willingly.
Report co-author Erin Johnson, project coordinator for the Utah Department of Health's Pain Medication Management and Education Program, commented: "We found that one in five patients are prescribed opioids and the majority of those have leftover medication. With all these excess pills, there is a great likelihood of misuse and abuse that could result from that. So dispose of your leftover pain medication immediately."
According to the report by Johnson and her team, 85.2 percent of people who used an opioid without a prescription said the drug was given to them by someone who did have a prescription, and 9.8 percent said they took the medication without the knowledge or permission of the owner. Only 4.1 percent said they had bought the drug.
(Source: businessweek.com)
Labels: painkillers, prescription drugs
American Teens Think Smoking More Risky than Drugs, Alcohol
According to a new national study, American teenagers believe that smoking cigarettes is riskier than consuming alcohol or using illicit drugs. The study, conducted by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), included survey responses from 44,979 adolescents, aged 12-17, who took part in the 2007 and 2008 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Study authors expressed concerns that teens may be more likely to experiment with alcohol or illegal substances if they believe that the risks associated with using drugs and alcohol are low. Pamela S. Hyde, SAMHSA administrator, said in a news release:
"We are on the right track with cigarette smoking and need to keep raising awareness among teens about the dangers of other substances. Understanding that perception of harm is a strong predictor of potential substance use among young people can help guide the development of substance prevention messages."
SAMHSA researchers found that perception of risk relating to cigarettes was fairly constant among all respondents. However, perception of risk with regard to alcohol and other substances varied widely by age and gender. For example, more than two-thirds (70 percent) of respondents believed smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day to be a major health risk. By contrast, only 40 percent of respondents believed binge-drinking (consuming five or more drinks at a time once or twice per week) posed a major health risk.
(Source: businessweek.com)
Labels: cigarettes, teen smoking, teen substance abuse
