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Marijuana Drug Abuse Still High

High school seniors are not often known for practicing good judgment

United States 7/11/2009 02:48 AM GMT (TransWorldNews)

High school seniors are not often known for practicing good judgment, but in the case of marijuana abuse when they are presented with the facts that marijuana is harmful, they decide not to use the drug.

A university of Michigan study shows that when high school seniors are presented with the facts and perceive a risk, they use marijuana less.The amount of drug education the students receive about the harmful nature of marijuana abuse is the determining factor in whether they perceive marijuana as harmful.

Studies also show that kids listen to their parents when it comes to marijuana and are less likely to use it, if they think their parents will disapprove.

Marijuana presents a unique challenge to parents and educators, because of the recent rise of medical marijuana, decriminalization efforts and mixed messages as to its harmful effects.

Marijuana, once demonized as the source of all society’s ills through propaganda movies, is now promoted by some politicians. The message can be confusing and parents need to know the truth.

The fact is that marijuana is a drug and is not harmless, contrary to common misconception.

The use of marijuana can lead to health, safety, learning and social problems and abuse of other harmful drugs.

Scientists in Europe have found “convincing evidence” that smoking marijuana may cause genetic damage which may in turn cause the formation of cancer cells. This data comes in light of the known dangers of cigarette smoking and scientists have long worried that marijuana may in fact have a similar effect.

Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person’s existing problems worse. In one study, heavy marijuana abusers reported that the drug impaired several important measures of life achievement including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status. Several studies associate workers’ marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers’ compensation claims, and job turnover.

It is known that marijuana use is unhealthy and it is also known that drug education works.

Marijuana still remains the most highly abused drug in most areas – the solution to decrease its use is obvious.