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AN OPEN LETTER TO
PARENTS:
HERE'S WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
ABOUT MARIJUANA AND TEENS.
- “Marijuana
is not a benign drug. Use impairs learning and judgment, and may lead
to the
development of mental health problems.”
– American Medical Association
- “Smoking
marijuana can injure or destroy lung tissue. In fact, marijuana smoke
contains
50 to 70 percent more of some cancer causing chemicals than does tobacco
smoke.”
– American Lung Association
- “Teens who
are high on marijuana are less able to make safe, smart decisions about
sex –
including saying no. Teens who have used marijuana are four times more
likely to have been
pregnant or gotten someone pregnant than teens who haven’t.”
– National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
- “Marijuana
can impair perception and reaction time, putting young drivers, their
passengers
and others on the road in danger. Teens, the highest risk driving population,
should
avoid anything that might impair their ability to operate a vehicle
safely.”
– American Automobile Association
- “Marijuana
use may trigger panic attacks, paranoia, and even psychoses, especially
if you
are suffering from anxiety, depression or having thinking problems.”
– American Psychiatric Association
- “Marijuana
can impair concentration and the ability to retain information during
a teen’s
peak learning years.”
– National Education Association
- “Recent research
has indicated that for some people there is a correlation between frequent
marijuana use and aggressive or violent behavior. This should be a concern
to parents,
community leaders, and to all Americans.”
– The National Crime Prevention Council
And, according to
the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana can be addictive. In fact,
more teens are in treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence
than for all other illicit drugs combined.
Teens
say their parents are the single most important influence when it comes
to drugs. Know their friends. Ask them where they are going and when they
will be home. Take time to listen. Talk to your teens about marijuana.
To learn more about marijuana and how to keep your teens drug-free, visit
www.theantidrug.com or call
800-788-2800.
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