Did you know? Youth use social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram to buy and sell drugs.

Popular Drugs Among Teens

Teens’ most commonly used drugs include marijuana, prescription drugs, and e-cigarettes or vaping devices. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nearly 30% of high school seniors have used marijuana in the past year, making it the most widely used illicit drug among teens. Prescription drugs, such as opioids and stimulants, are also commonly abused by teenagers, often obtained from friends or family members with legitimate prescriptions. E-cigarettes have gained popularity in recent years, with the NIDA reporting that over 20% of high school seniors have used them in the past month.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse among teenagers can lead to a range of negative consequences, including addiction, impaired judgment and decision-making, and increased risk of accidents and violence. Additionally, drug abuse can cause physical harm, such as damage to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Furthermore, using drugs can also lead to legal problems, including arrest and imprisonment.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing teen drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach, including education and parental and community involvement. Parents play a crucial role in preventing drug abuse by talking to their children about the dangers of drugs, monitoring their behavior, and setting clear boundaries. Educating teenagers about the risks of drug abuse and its effects on their health, relationships, and future prospects are also essential. Community organizations such as the Way Out West (WOW) Coalition and schools can also provide educational programs and resources to help prevent drug abuse among teens.

Finally, addressing the root causes of drug abuse among teenagers, such as stress, peer pressure, and underlying mental health issues, is essential. By addressing these underlying issues, providing support, and educating young people, we can help teens make healthy choices and live drug-free lives.

Author Larry Tracey is the founder of Youth4Youth. Y4Y develops success and leadership skills in youth and promotes school safety by treating everyone with respect. He serves as WOW Coalition Program Director, a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana, and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information, visit Youth4Youth.org or wayoutwestcoalition.org/resources

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Through the years, I have learned a very productive habit when helping people solve problems on their own. The habit is – Ask a great question and then shut up! People are more likely to do something when it is their idea. Asking a great question, followed by silence, allows the receiver time to think of the answer and make it their idea. All you did was ask a question that pointed their mind in a specific direction, allowing them time think of the solution all because you were silent. 

A great question followed by silence is a handy parenting tool. You allow your child or grandchild to think critically and make their own POSITIVE decisions. When your idea becomes their idea, you have buy-in, and you create buy-in by asking great questions and silence. Using this technique with our children will take some practice.

In our primary prevention efforts as parents and grandparents, it is essential to develop great questions to GET IN THE WAY of youth substance use or help youth think through what they will do if they are in an environment where their peers are using alcohol or drugs. 

I suggest doing this in a place with no distractions, so the focus is solely on the topic at hand. This will allow you to control the situation and, many times, deepens the conversation. Circumstances may not always allow this to happen, so be on the lookout for windows of opportunity. A window may be something like when my son and I are just finishing our exercise routine, during a walk, while unloading groceries, or finishing some yard work. I may begin with “I’ve been thinking,” or “this (insert here what triggered the reminder) reminds me of something I was thinking about.” 

It is also essential to ask an open-ended question(s). (A question that cannot be answered with yes or no.) Once you ask them the question, DO NOT say a word. This may get too awkward/uncomfortable for both of you, especially if the silence is going for five minutes, but continue to be there in silence. Eventually, your child will answer the question you asked, even though it may only be a few words. Once they answer the question, continue the silence, and then process information and elaborate a little more on the decision. After this, you can continue to discuss with them and guide them to become the person you know they can become.

I would suggest having at least two questions prepared when you talk to your child about substance use. Having questions prepared ahead of time will allow you to be ready for the silence and take the emotions out of asking a less effective question. Every situation is different, but you can use great questions to help your child come to their own POSITIVE decision on using substances. Here are a few examples: 

• I heard many teens are dabbing. What is dabbing? 
• What is your plan when you are in a situation when others are using drugs or alcohol around you?
• How does using marijuana affect your grades in school?
• How does smoking or vaping hinder your performance in sports?

Author Joe Tracey, is Youth4Youth Program Director and member of the WOW Coalition; a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use.  For additional information visit http://www.wowcoalition.org or contact him at info@wow.coalition.org

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I recently had a conversation with my son’s high school counselor, and rest assured that these challenging times are affecting our children as well. Please take a moment and speak with your child on proper ways to deal with the increased stress and anxiety levels they may be experiencing. One common way that teens deal with adverse situations is through substance use. As parents, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to GET IN THE WAY of destructive behaviors. As marijuana has become legal in some form across most of the nation, another significant change is the types of cannabis products available. Not only is the THC level higher in the plants themselves, but concentrates are becoming readily available to teens. Cannabis concentrates are made by extracting the THC from the plant and creating a highly potent THC delivery method. High levels of THC in the flower itself range around 15-20%, well above the levels THC from years ago when they were sub 10%. Concentrates, on the other hand, are available from anywhere between 50% and 99%. Concentrates come in many forms, and users can discretely inhale them, without the distinct odor that occurs when smoking a flower-based joint. Concentrates come in many forms, such as oils and solid forms known as dabs, shatter, butter, and wax. Users can put the oil or dabs into a vape pen, and mostly no one knows. One school district reported that 93% of the vape pens confiscated last year contained THC. As parents and role models to our children, we need to be aware and take appropriate action to help our kids be the best version of themselves they can be.

Life is starting to move in a familiar direction as businesses reopen, students return to brick-and-mortar learning, and sporting events are taking place. Our interactions outside of your house are still evolving and are not how we remembered, but we always learn to adapt and make the best life we can. With Thanksgiving approaching in a few weeks, for most of us, this may be the closest experience to what our families knew as “normal” in almost a year.

Let’s all take this time to let our children know that we are there for them and appreciate the joy they bring to our lives. Even small gestures of a hug and saying, “I’m proud of you,” will help your child get through the stress they feel as they learn to adapt.

The WOW Coalition is a prevention association that promotes safe and healthy choices and responds to problems caused by alcohol, marijuana and Rx abuse by implementing strategies to prevent and reduce youth substance use. For additional information visit: http://www.wowcoalition.org or email: info@wowcoalition.org.

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