Drugs and kids. It's a reality every parent must face--head-on. You can't deny it. You can't ignore it. But as parents or other concerned
caregivers, you are your children's greatest resource. What follows is your resource on drugs in America--descriptions, photos, street names, use and links to additional information.

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  Marijuana: PROFIT NOT COMPASSION

Prescription drugs - Use and Abuse

Kathi Ackerman, Executive Director

Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc.

Brief Summary

Use of prescription drugs for non-medical use is increasing at incredible rates.  Approximately 1.3 million citizens report abuse of prescription drugs each year.

These drugs can be very effective if used under a physician’s care, however, if misused they can prove deadly.  Parents and communities need to work together to help prevent the misuse and abuse of these powerful substances.

Illicit drug use is declining for teens.  Unfortunately, the use of prescription drug abuse is increasing and is currently being abused more than any illicit drug except marijuana. 

Prescription drugs are being abused more than heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine combined.  In 2006 more than 2.1 million teens abused prescription drugs and most teens get these drugs from friends and family...MORE

DID YOU KNOW?

On average, marijuana today is far more intoxicating than 30 years ago. THC (delta-9-tetrhdrocannabinol) is believed to be responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. According to the Drug Abuse Quarterly Potency Monitoring Project Report, THC levels in analyzed illicit cannabis samples have grown from 1.37 percent in 1978 to 8.49 percent in 2008, an increase of more than 500 percent. For more information on National Institute on Drug Abuse Monitoring Project Report, click here. For an overview about marijuana, click here.

DID YOU KNOW?

That one of the most dangerous categories of performance enhancing drugs is anabolic steroids? Over the years famous Olympic athletes, baseball players, weightlifters, and wrestlers have been caught using steroids, and many have paid a price in their health, well being, and careers, not to mention their run-ins with the law.

Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced variants of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. Currently, there are more than 100 different types of anabolic steroids, and they can be taken orally, injected, or even rubbed into the skin.

Every kind of anabolic steroid requires a prescription, and they have been classed as Schedule III controlled substances since 1991. While steroid use among teens peaked in 2002 (according to the 2008 Monitoring the Future report), steroid abuse remains a significant problem nationwide. For more information about steroids, click here. 

For more information on drugs visit:

DEA Drugs of Concern

www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com

DID YOU KNOW?

Drugs are a major source of terrorist financing. As of July 2009, nearly half (18 of 45) of all State Department listed Foreign Terrorist Organizations have ties to the drug trade.

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