Report shows drug use among teens is on the rise
By Eilyn Segura
12:00 PM on 11/18/2010
A startling new report from the Office of National Drug Control Policy states that drug use among teenagers, in particular African-American girls and Hispanic boys, is on the rise.
The statistical data shows that 1 in 10 kids ages 12-17 have used drugs in the past month. Among African-American teen girls, drug use has increased a whopping 43 percent, while it has increased 39 percent for Hispanic teenage boys. This comes as California recently voted down a proposition that warranted the use of 'legal' portions of marijuana.
"When we saw this increase in youth use, we also saw a decrease in the perception of risk or harm caused by drugs," says head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, "If we keep associating marijuana and medicine, and associating it as something for patients, that really sends young people the absolute wrong message," he continues.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy is undertaking a massive effort to reduce drug use and has released a series of public service announcements which target a youthful audience, in hopes to curve this growing
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Friday, November 19th 2010 at 10:39AM
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