2017 April News

April 2017 News Articles
Posted on 04/13/2017
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Every Conversation Counts

Now that Marijuana is legal for those 21 and over, it’s more important than ever to talk with your kids.

Using marijuana can impact brain development and affect memory, motivation and learning. It is also associated with problems at school and poor grades. Parents are the most important influence in their child’s life. Talk with your kids today. For more information, go to STARTTALKINGNOW.ORG

Express a no use attitude.

Children whose parents have a positive attitude toward marijuana use are five times more likely to use marijuana by 8th grade.

Since teenagers who use marijuana often start by age 14, parents should start an ongoing conversation about drugs by 4th or 5th grade. Be clear about your family expectations about marijuana use. What to say…

“What do you know about marijuana? Do you know that marijuana can hurt your health?  It is against the law for anyone under 21 years old. We want you to do well in school, so we have a family rule against using drugs, including marijuana. “


Perception VS Reality

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. (Samhsa.gov) Though use of marijuana among Washington state youth has remained relatively stable over the last several years, youth perception of harm from use of marijuana has been steadily decreasing. It is alarming that many teens perceive little risk of regular marijuana use. In 2016, about one in five 8th graders, one in three 10th graders, and almost half (45%) of 12th graders perceived no/slight risk to regular use. This makes it even more important that we talk to our kids about the health risks involved.


How Does Marijuana Use Affect Adolescent Health?

Marijuana is addictive. Most teens wo enter substance abuse treatment programs in Washington State report that Marijuana is the main or only drug they use. Adolescents who start using marijuana before the age of 14 are four times more likely to become addicted by the time they are an adult. Marijuana addiction is more common among teens than adults because their brain is still developing and vulnerable. (Seattle Children’s Hospital) Marijuana also affects, coordination, memory and your child’s ability to focus.


You Are A Role Model

Avoid using marijuana around your child or teen, never drive while high and if you are a user…LOCK UP YOUR STASH!

If you or your teen is addicted or cannot stop using marijuana or other drugs, contact your doctor or call the Washington Recovery Help Line at 1-866-789-1511

24-Hour Help for substance abuse, problem gambling and mental health www.warecoveryhelpline.org


Other Names for Cannabis

Cannabis is also known as marijuana, grass, weed, pot, dope, Mary Jane, hooch, hash, joints, brew, reefers, cones, smoke, mull, buddha, ganga, hydro, yarndi, heads and green. Be in the know and talk to your kids about what their friends and peers at school are calling it.


Information for this newsletter came from the following sources:

  • Seattle Children’s Hospital Adolescent Substance Abuse Program www.seattlechildrens.org
  • Washington State Department of Health www.starttalkingnow.org
  • ADAI Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington www.adai.uw.edu
  • Healthy Youth Survey www.ASKHYS.net 


This newsletter is written and distributed by Kristi Haynes (ESD123) and Susan Martin (ESD105), Youth Marijuana Prevention and Education Program (YMPEP) educators.
DOH

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