From K2 to K3: New Form of Synthetic Marijuana Popular with Teens

Posted on January 13, 2012

When the Drug Enforcement Administration outlawed five chemicals commonly found in synthetic marijuana products like Spice and K2 last March, it was no surprise that replacements were already on the way. All it took was a minor change in chemical make-up to get around the ban, and thus emerged K3.

More Teens Smoke Pot than Smoke Cigarettes

Posted on March 24, 2011

More teenagers are using marijuana than cigarettes, according to a new study from the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

Teen Heroin Addiction: Implications for Prevention and Treatment

Posted on April 13, 2010

As if there isn’t already enough to worry about with teens and substance abuse, now the threat of teen heroin addiction seems to be raising its ugly head. Maybe you thought that heroin was a drug of the past, or that it only affects lower-class street population or hard-core criminal element – but you’d be wrong.

What Heroin is and How it is Used

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes heroin as an addictive drug that is processed from morphine and usually appears as a white or brown powder, or a black, sticky substance known as “black tar.” Street names include smack, ska, H, and junk. Heroin can be injected, inhaled, smoked or taken orally. Injected heroin accounts for the highest percentage of male and female users, with 43 percent of male and 56 percent of female users choosing this route of administration. Inhalation ranks next, with 36 percent of males and 27 percent of females. Smoking, oral, and other routes of administration account for 11 percent, 5 percent and 1 percent (female) and 12 percent, 8 percent, and 1 percent (male), respectively.

Inhalant Use in Adolescents with Respiratory Ailments

Posted on April 5, 2010

Inhalants as a means to get high are popular among adolescents. They are easy to acquire, easy to use, and provide quick results. Inhalants are ordinary household products, such as spray paint, glue or gasoline, and are legal and available to teenagers.

Teen Drug Use in New Hampshire Surveyed

Posted on March 22, 2010

The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey for southeastern New Hampshire was recently released and the news was both good and bad, according to a Sea Coast Online report. On the positive side, abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs continued in a downward trend among teens in the region since 2007.

Daily Marijuana Use May Cause Irreversible Damage to Teens’ Brains

Posted on March 1, 2010

Marijuana is abused more frequently than any other street drug in the U.S. It comes from the cannabis plant, and is typically smoked. THC (which stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary chemical in marijuana which affects the brain.

When you smoke marijuana, the THC quickly goes into the bloodstream from your lungs. Your blood transfers it to the organs in your body, including your brain. THC targets certain sites in your brain known as cannabinoid receptors. The resulting activity in the brain causes a pleasurable “high”. Most people who smoke marijuana experience feelings of relaxation and loosening of inhibitions. They also often lose track of time.

Unfortunately, marijuana use can also cause paranoia, coordination problems, impaired problem solving, memory problems, decreased motivation, poor judgment, anxiety and hallucinations.

Scientists have long been concerned about the effects of marijuana on the brains of adolescent users. It appears their concern is warranted. Recent research conducted by Dr. Gabriella Gobbi of McGill University Health Center suggests that when adolescents use cannabis daily, the consequences may include anxiety, depression, and permanent effects on their brains.

The purpose of her research was to determine if adolescents were more vulnerable to the neurological impact of cannabis use than adults. She also wanted to study the effects of cannabis on young users. The research of Dr. Gobbi suggests that cannabis affects serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters associated with both anxiety and mood disorders.

Adolescents who are exposed to this drug are thus more vulnerable to stress long-term, and may be more susceptible to developing a mood disorder.

While previous research has focused primarily on the effects of marijuana use on adolescent behavior, Dr. Gobbi’s study focused on the neurobiological relationship between adolescent cannabis use and anxiety and depression. Her research is the first to show that use of marijuana is especially damaging for teens – more so than for adults. In other words, the long-term effects of the drug when used during adolescent years may be irreversible.

Oxycodone Use Rising Among High School Students

Posted on January 19, 2010

There is a growing problem on high school campuses throughout the nation. More and more of today’s high school students are becoming addicted to the popular pain medication, OxyCodone.

Teen Drug Use Increasing in Hong Kong

Posted on September 8, 2009

The number of adolescents using drugs has increased by 25 percent since last year in Hong Kong, a statistic that is concerning health professionals and drug prevention activists.

Teenagers Abusing ADHD Drugs

Posted on August 24, 2009

A new medical study found that more teenagers are abusing prescription medication used to treat ADHD. Calls to the National Poison Center related to teenage abuse of ADHD medications increased 76 percent between 1998 and 2005.

Facts about Date Rape Drugs

Posted on July 9, 2009

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) publishes a fact sheet on so-called club drugs of GHB, ketamine and Rohypnol. These drugs are also known as date rape drugs, along with ecstasy. All four drugs are wildly popular on the rave, club and all-night dance scene, especially among adolescents and young adults.