Teen drug use on the rise

By Staff Writer

Results from the 2010 Monitoring the Future Survey revealed an increase in the use of drugs such as marijuana and ecstasy among teenagers.

Researchers surveyed students in the eighth, tenth and twelfth grades. Their findings indicated a significant rise in marijuana use for students in all three grades. The use among eighth graders rose from 14.5 percent in 2009 to 16 percent this year. For high school seniors, the rate went from 5.2 to 6.1 percent.

Regarding the use of ecstasy, 2.4 percent of eighth graders reported using the drug within the past year, which was an increase over 2009’s 1.3 percent. Use among tenth graders went from 3.7 to 4.7 percent.

The non-medical use of prescription drugs, such as Oxycontin, also remains an issue among teenagers. Participants revealed that they receive, buy or steal these substances from friends and family.

Researchers behind the survey are disappointed by theses findings. High rates of marijuana use during the teen and pre-teen years can have harmful effects on the brain’s development.

Teenagers who show signs of addiction may want to seek substance abuse help or enter drug rehab.