Fewer Teens Abusing Drugs Finds Survey

1. Fewer Teens Abusing Drugs, Finds Survey Fewer Teens Abusing Drugs, Finds Survey Probably we would all agree that the kids these days are smarter than us, be it in operating various gadgets and apps, scoring in academics, or even with drugs. As teens, while the baby boomers were busy experimenting with marijuana and other drugs – all in the name of having an ethereal experience, the millennials largely steered clear of harmful substances. The latest Student Drug-Use Survey by Prevention First!, a coalition for a drug-free Greater Cincinnati, came out with some interesting findings on substance use among adolescents in the region. Conducted every two years, nearly 33,000 students from grades 7 to 12 participated in this survey carried out in the fall of 2017. The survey indicated majority of students in Greater Cincinnati and the Tristate area were not in favor of abusing substances. This gives something to cheer about to a nation that has been reeling under the opioid epidemic. More than 63,600 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2016, including two- third deaths due to prescription opioids. that a Some other highlights of the survey based on the past 30-day drug use are as follows: • A resounding 97.6 percent of the responders reported not using prescription drugs for nonmedical conditions. Usually, teenagers get hooked on cigarettes in the school days due to academic, parental and peer pressure. However, around 95 percent of the participants indicated not using cigarettes in the past 30-day period. Though marijuana emerged as the drug of choice among adults, children were not inclined to use it. Approximately 92 percent of the responders reported not using weed. Lastly, though the percentage of students not abusing alcohol in the past 30 days was slightly lower than the above-mentioned percentages, it is still a significant • • • www.sovteens.com

2. improvement. According to the survey, about 86.3 percent of the surveyed students said they did not indulge in alcohol abuse. High peer and parental disapproval Another significant finding of the survey relates to high peer and parental disapproval. As parents, peers and friends are often involved in the decisions a young individual makes, it is heartening to see the finding related to increased peer and parental disapproval of different types of substances. Among all, the survey indicated that the highest parental and peer disapproval rate was witnessed in the case of nonmedical prescription drugs, which stood at 95.6 percent and 87.6 percent, respectively. Evidently, most teens have been cautious in the wake of the current opioid crisis. The survey highlights a consistent improvement in parental and peer disapproval of substance abuse among adolescents. Apparently, as many of them have witnessed firsthand struggles due to an addiction to prescription drugs, they are justifiably wary of these drugs. Most of the respondents considered nicotine and prescription drugs more harmful to health than marijuana and alcohol. Prevention FIRST! aims to use the data to support youngsters struggling with substance abuse by enunciating a comprehensive multipronged approach. Make healthy choices to lead a drug-free life Most teens start abusing easily accessible substances like prescription drugs primarily for recreational and experimental purposes under peer pressure. Others start using them to cope with their anxiety or depression. Due to the misplaced perception, they tend to consider prescription drugs as safe and abuse them with impunity. With effective controls in the community, teenagers can be dissuaded from indulging in prescription drug abuse. Being a vicious cycle, it is often difficult for users to get out of the trappings of any drug abuse. Before the problem becomes too severe to control, it is essential to spread more awareness among both youngsters and their loved ones. Sovereign Health, a leading provider of medical services for substance abuse and mental health, understands the consequences of teen prescription drug addiction. Our Rancho San Diego adolescent facility offers a host of necessary treatment procedures and behavioral therapies to patients. For more information about our state-of-the-art drug rehabs for adolescents, you may call at 24/7 helpline number (866) 512-1981. Talk to our representative about teen prescription drug addiction treatment. www.sovteens.com