TheAntiDrug.com: Get the Facts on Drugs

Illegal Drugs / Illegal Drug Information for Parents

Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug among America’s youth. Among kids age 14-16, 7.2 percent of 14-15 year olds use marijuana, and 15.6 percent of 16-17 year olds use marijuana. Find out more about marijuana and other illegal drug information.

Research has now established that marijuana can be addictive. Each year, more teens enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illegal drugs combined. Primary marijuana abuse accounted for more than half of all treatment admissions (55 percent each) in the age groups under 15 and 15-19 years.

According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, adolescents age 12 to 17 who use marijuana weekly are nine times more likely than non-users to experiment with other illegal drugs or alcohol. Read more about the Signs & Symptoms of illegal drug use.

Violence and delinquent behaviour is often linked to drug use.

Drug Prevention Tips for Parents
Parents, you are the first line of defense when it comes to your child’s drinking or use of drugs. And you do make a difference! Nearly two-thirds of teenagers see great risk of upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family and friends if they smoke marijuana or use other drugs.

• Set rules. Let your teen know that drugs and alcohol use is unacceptable and that these rules are set to keep him or her safe. Set limits with clear consequences for breaking them.
• Know where your teen is and what he or she will be doing during unsupervised time. Research shows that teens with unsupervised time are three times more likely to use marijuana or other illegal drugs.

Think your teen may be “experimenting” with illegal drugs? It’s better to find out the truth now than wait until the problem is out of control. Read more in the Action Guide for Parents.

Information provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Learn more about the risks of marijuanan and the dangers to kids

Related Links:

Alcohol and Teens - Get the Facts

Talking to your kids about alcohol

Helping your teen be alcohol-free