A site for parents and teens who want to be better informed about
drug abuse and addiction as it affects young people today.
Research & News
Popularity among Teens Leads to Greater Alcohol and Drug Use
Posted on January 17, 2011
The social factors involved in substance use gateways and the escalation of teen alcohol and drug use into abuse and dependence may be other than conventionally thought and even more complex than previously believed.
Gay Teens Less Likely to Abuse Drugs If Parents Accept Their Orientation
Posted on January 13, 2011
If parents and caregivers of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) young adults are supportive and accepting of them, these young people are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol or to attempt suicide, according to a new study from San Francisco State University.
ADHD in Kids Associated with Substance Abuse as Adults
Posted on January 12, 2011
Attention deficit disorder in children can often precede conduct disorders in teenagers, and this group of young people is more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, according to a new study from the New York University of Medicine.
Marijuana Use Increasing Among Teens
Posted on January 11, 2011
It is always good news when teenage use of a substance has gone down, but when the use of something else increases, it seems the positive is quickly overshadowed. Such is the case in a recent Healthland report, which indicates that federal studies are showing binge drinking and smoking rates have gone down among teens, while marijuana use is up.
Kids Who Don’t Like School May Be at Higher Risk for Dangerous Behavior
Posted on January 4, 2011
When strategies for education and intervention are created for the underage population, school is often the most obvious choice as a venue for programs centering on alcohol and drug prevention. Lessons on drug and alcohol awareness are often taught in conjunction with the required health class, and often extracurricular groups focused on substance-use prevention take place after school.
The Truth About Teen Drug Use
Posted on December 31, 2010
Teens that use drugs often do so through the availability provided by social or family networks. Research has shown that teens who have friends who use drugs are more likely to use drugs, and sometimes the only access they need is an unlocked medicine cabinet at home stocked with prescription painkillers.
Teens Under-Report Drug Use
Posted on December 29, 2010
Researchers spend a great deal of time studying the social effects of illicit drug use among different sectors of the population. This focus is important to get a better handle on the threats drugs pose to sustainable life and overall good health.
Parents’ Awareness of Substance Use by Their Children
Posted on December 21, 2010
Many young people who use substances strive to hide their habits from their parents. Research says it is working. Multiple studies have shown that adolescents typically report higher levels of substance use than parents of those same youth report. While parental involvement is known to be a great deterrent for adolescent substance use, many parents do not have a good estimation of the substances used by their child.
Teen Marijuana Use Up, Along with Ecstasy and Prescription Drugs
Posted on December 16, 2010
The debate over medical marijuana and legalized marijuana has not just stirred up controversy on the political front—it’s also made marijuana use appear less harmful to the country’s younger generation.
Teen Girls Smoking to Lose Weight
Posted on December 7, 2010
Girls who have struggled through puberty often find themselves emerging with a new body shape and a higher weight. In a culture where calories, carbs and weight loss are a favorite topic among women, young girls are convinced that going up a dress size or two is devastating. In order to combat the natural changes in their bodies, young girls often take up unhealthy behaviors such as extreme dieting, purging after eating or smoking cigarettes.
