Teens' use of alcohol and pot increasing

Parent Cafe
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<p>"WASHINGTON — Alcohol and marijuana use among teens is on the rise, ending a decade-long decline, a study being released Tuesday found.</p>

<p>“I’m a little worried that we may be seeing the leading edge of a trend here,” said Sean Clarkin, director of strategy at The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which was releasing the study. “Historically, you do see the increase in recreational drugs before you see increases in some of the harder drugs.”</p>

<p>The annual survey found the number of teens in grades 9 through 12 who reported drinking alcohol in the last month rose 11 percent last year, with 39 percent — about 6.5 million teens — reporting alcohol use. That’s up from 35 percent, or about 5.8 million teens, in 2008.</p>

<p>For pot, 25 percent of teens reported smoking marijuana in the last month, up from 19 percent…"
[Study:</a> Teen Use of Marijuana, Alcohol on the Rise - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com](<a href=“http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587708,00.html?test=latestnews]Study:”>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587708,00.html?test=latestnews)</p>

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<p>Another recent study…depressing.
[College</a> freshmen study booze more than books - USATODAY.com](<a href=“http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-03-11-college-drinking_N.htm]College”>http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-03-11-college-drinking_N.htm)</p>

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<p>When you consider the info from the other thread about the fact that these kids’ brains are still forming …and addictions play a part in that brain formation…it’s very scary!!!</p>

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<p>I have heard that more parents (our age) are smoking pot too.</p>

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<p>Where do they get the money to blow on this stuff? Or is this evidence of the increased have/have not separation in the US, with more ‘haves’ using?</p>

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<p>In this local paper this morning they had a reprint of an Associated Press article about the popularity of 21st Birthday Shot Scrapbooks. It appears to be very popular in the midwest especially amongst females. Photos are taken as the birthday girl progresses through the day and evening. Notes and well wishes are also added to the book as the night goes on.</p>

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<p>^^^I saw that article. The featured student’s mother went along for the fun. The day began at 9 am. Just warmed my heart to picture mom helping her daughter down shots at 9 am.</p>

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<p>^^^^^My GOD. That is completely insane.</p>

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<p>Ok…looked up the article. Amazing. </p>

<p>What will it take for students to understand how dangerous abusive drinking is? Everyone thinks it’s cool and funny…and the increasing death rates and other negative impacts seem to be ignored. Looking back, we have made great strides in reducing cigarette smoking…and most folks don’t think it’s cool anymore. What do we have to do to get there with drinking? Right now, the trend seems to be going in the opposite direction!</p>

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<p>I haven’t seen that, but my daughter and her friends have fairly involved parents, and I have noticed that kids with parents who know where their kids are, know the parents of their kids friends, who do stuff with their kids are less likely to have kids who are chronic users of alcohol/drugs.</p>

<p>( Ok I don’t mean getting your kids high as the same thing as " doing stuff with your kids"- :p- whatta idiot- some people need to get out of the Gene Pool!)</p>