Which Illegal Drug Do Most Teens Start Taking?

When people wonder which illegal drug their teen may be exposed to the most, many think of cocaine or hallucinogens.

However, a study shows that 56% of youths who first started using drugs in the past year began with marijuana.

"Marijuana has the reputation of being non-toxic and 'safe' to use," comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director of Narconon Drug Rehab Georgia. "Despite the facts that students are given education on the dangers of tobacco smoking, marijuana apparently doesn't come under the same scrutiny, and when teens use an illegal drug for the first time, it will start with marijuana. This often leads to ther drugs; those who start using marijuana are 9 times more likely to use cocaine than those who don't. Marijuana often leads to drug addiction."

An estimated 1.5 million youths ages 12 to 17—an average of more than 4,000 per day—used a drug other than alcohol for the first time in the past year, according to data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

The majority of youths reported that marijuana was the first drug they tried (56%), followed by prescription-type drugs used nonmedically (24%), and inhalants (17%).

Very few youths reported that their first use of drugs involved hallucinogens or cocaine (see figure below). The relative distribution of first-drug used has remained consistent over the past five years.

"Prescription-type drugs includes stimulants, sedatives, tranquilizers, and pain relievers," comments Ms. Rieser. "Non-medical use is defined as use without a prescription belonging to the respondent or use that occurred simply for the experience or feeling the drug caused."

Source: CESARFAX, University of Maryland, CollegePark

Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia is a non-traditional drug abuse treatment program. Narconon was founded in 1967, and boasts a 76% success rate (based on a two year follow-up) through a non-12 step drug treatment program.  The Narconon program provides body detoxification through a sauna and exercise program that helps eliminate or reduce cravings. After the sauna program, the client learns those life skills essential to success in life and the ability to stay clean.  They graduate from Narconon with a life plan and continued support to make sure they make it in life.

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