From today's press release by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
The use of illicit drugs among Americans increased between 2008 and 2009 according to a national survey conducted by SAMHSA. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows that the overall rate of current illicit drug use in the United States rose from 8.0 percent of the population age 12 and older in 2008 to 8.7 percent in 2009. This rise in overall drug use was driven in large part by increases in marijuana use.
The annual NSDUH survey, released by SAMHSA at the kickoff of the 21st annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, also shows that the nonmedical use of prescription drugs rose from 2.5 percent of the population in 2008 to 2.8 percent in 2009. Additionally, the estimated number of past-month Ecstasy users rose from 555,000 in 2008 to 760,000 in 2009, and the number of methamphetamine users rose from 314,000 to 502,000 during that period.
"These results are a wake up call to the Nation," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "Our strategies of the past appear to have stalled out with 'Generation Next.' Parents and caregivers, teachers, coaches, faith and community leaders, must find credible new ways to communicate with our youth about the dangers of substance abuse."
"These results are a wake up call to the Nation," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "Our strategies of the past appear to have stalled out with 'Generation Next.' Parents and caregivers, teachers, coaches, faith and community leaders, must find credible new ways to communicate with our youth about the dangers of substance abuse."
"Today's findings are disappointing, but not surprising, because eroding attitudes and perceptions of harm about drug use over the past 2 years have served as warning signs for exactly what we see today," said Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske. "
1 comment:
This information should be a wake-up call to all parents. By sitting down and talking to my teens, they realize how much I love and care about them. This seems to be the reason for some teens to experiment with drugs-the need for attention and to "belong."
I try to find the time on a daily basis to just sit and talk about how the day has gone with my teens. Teens are sponges for attention whether they admit it or not.
I do understand that some parents do everything they can for their children and still have a bad outcome. This is to be expected.
After reading the information on sevencounties.org about families having dinner together at least three times a week, I have strengthened my relationship with my teens even more!
Thanks again!
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