In drugs ...

Example of a bad decitions

More teens using drugs at school, study show

Teens in a just-released national study reported that nearly one in five of their classmates drink, use drugs and smoke during the school day, and more than a third said it is fairly easy to do so without getting caught.

More middle and high school students than ever know how to buy alcohol, marijuana or prescription drugs within a day and for the first time, private schools are no longer immune from drugs on campus.

The 17th annual back-to-school survey just released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse focused this year on use at school -- and it's not good.

For the sixth consecutive year, 60 percent or more of teens in the survey reported that drugs are used, kept or sold at schools and 52 percent said there's a place on or near school grounds where students go during the day to use drugs, drink or smoke cigarettes.

Young people try drugs for many reasons including relaxation, socialising, curiosity or peer pressure. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are the most commonly used drugs by teenagers. Around one in five teenagers have tried cannabis at least once. Parents can reduce the risk of drugs for their children with some strategies.

Things to remember

• Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco are the most common drugs used by teenagers.
• Young people use drugs for many reasons: for fun, out of curiosity, to feel part of a group or to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different.
• There is no evidence to support the theory that using cannabis will automatically lead to someone using other drugs such as amphetamines and heroin.
• Help is available for parents and young people who have concerns about drug use.

Preventing drug use in teenagers

There are no parenting skills or behaviours that guarantee a young person will never touch drugs. However, parents and guardians can reduce the possibility of a young person experiencing drug problems in a number of ways. 

Suggestions include:

• Foster a close and trusting relationship with your child from an early age and support and encourage positive behaviour.
• Model appropriate behaviour such as drinking moderately, not smoking and not using illicit drugs.
• Establish agreements and guidelines about what is acceptable behaviour around alcohol and drugs.
• Encourage a healthy approach to life including good foods, regular exercise and sports.
• Encourage your child to have more than one group of friends.
• Allow your child to practise responsibility and develop good decision-making skills from an early age.
• Keep yourself informed about drugs and educate your child on the dangers of drug use. Do not exaggerate or make information up.
• Have open and honest discussions about drugs.

Cannabis as a ‘gateway’ drug for teenagers

Many parents are concerned that if their child tries cannabis, it will only be a matter of time before they progress to other drugs, such as amphetamines and heroin. However, there is no evidence to support the theory that cannabis is a ‘gateway’ drug that automatically leads to the use of other drugs. 

Drugs commonly used by teenagers

Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco are the three most commonly used drugs among young people. According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey of Australians aged 14–19 years, in 2010:

• 67 per cent had tried alcohol and just over one in five (21.1 per cent) were drinking alcohol on a weekly basis.
• One in five (21.5 per cent) had tried cannabis.
• Just under 12 per cent had tried tobacco and just under seven per cent smoked on a daily basis.
• Just over two per cent had tried amphetamines for non-medical reasons.
• 4.7 per cent had tried ecstasy.
• 2.1 per cent had tried inhalants – such as petrol, glue and solvents.
• 2.1 per cent had tried cocaine.

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey of Australians also found that just 0.3 per cent of 14–19 year olds had tried heroin in 2007 (statistics for this age group are not available for 2010).

Reasons teenagers take drugs

Young people use drugs for similar reasons that adults do – to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different. Reasons may include:

• Socialising with friends, peer pressure or the need to feel part of a group
• Relaxation or fun
• Boredom
• Curiosity, experimentation or wanting to take risks
• To escape from psychological or physiological pain.

Adolescence is typically a period of experimentation, irrespective of parenting skills and influence. Cannabis is the most common illegal drug used by teenagers, with around one in five having tried it at least once. Parents typically worry about their child becoming dependent on drugs such as methamphetamines (speed and ice), ecstasy, heroin and cocaine. However, the more likely threat to any teenager’s health is the use of drugs such as alcohol and tobacco.

There is no way to guarantee your child will never take drugs, but you can reduce the possibility of your teenager experiencing drug problems in a number of ways.