It’s not JUST Pot
April 01, 2009
Nighthawk News - Martha Shilstone, LCSW
It’s not JUST Pot
Here’s where I have to set the record straight.
Somewhere along the line, we (the public)
became soft on marijuana. From where I sit, it is
more concerning than ever.
Let me clear up some myths about this drug
using actual quotes from either parents or
students in my office or out in public.
“BUT IT’S NATURAL.
HOW COULD
IT BE BAD?”
Marijuana is a mixture of dried leaves, etc., from
the hemp plant (Cannabis). Strength of the drug
depends on the form but all are mind–
altering or psychoactive drugs and ALL
contain THC and over 400 other
chemicals.
THC affects the nerve cells in the part of the
brain where memories are formed.
A common statement from teens:
“IT’S NOT LIKE SMOKING
CIGARETTES - CAUSING
CANCER.”
According to NIDA (The National Institute on
Drug Abuse) “Marijuana use has the potential to
promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of
the respiratory tract because it contains irritants
and carcinogens.” One joint can deliver 4 times
as much cancer-causing tar as one tobacco
cigarette. Marijuana users usually inhale more
deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco
smokers do, which increases the lungs’ exposure
to smoke.
“IT’S NOT LIKE DRINKING –
YOU CAN STILL DRIVE
WHEN YOU’RE HIGH.”
OK - REALLY? That one always gets me!
Marijuana affects: concentration,
coordination, reaction time, and perception of space. How can this
translate to anything but extreme risk behind
the wheel of a car?
A very common view from parents:
“I DID IT WHEN I
WAS YOUNG
AND I WAS OKAY.”
USA Today identifies four significant ways
that the marijuana culture has changed which
adults may not realize:
1. Age is down. Research shows that more
teens are using marijuana at a younger
age.
2. The effects now are clear. More
research is being done since the
‘experimentation days’ of the 60’s and
70’s, finding many harmful effects of
marijuana.
3. Quantity is up. Teens are finding pot
affordable and accessible. Researchers find
that youth are smoking larger amounts
than their elders did.
4. Potency is up. According to the Office
of National Drug Control Policy, the
marijuana that teens use today has more
than twice the concentration of THC than
the marijuana of 20 years ago.
Here is probably the most common myth I
hear about marijuana:
“YOU CAN’T
BECOME ADDICTED.”
According to NIDA: ”While not everyone
who uses marijuana becomes addicted, when
a user begins to seek out and take the drug
compulsively, that person is said to be
dependent on the drug or addicted to it. In
2002, over 280,000 people entering drug
treatment programs reported marijuana as needed help to stop using.
What I am seeing is the disturbing
amount of kids who follow this
progression or pattern. They start to try
it with their friends. They are able to hide
it from their parents and keep their
grades and activities in tow. Then use
increases – they may like how they feel.
Other behaviors start cropping up at this
point: lying, often sneaking money -
hoarding lunch money. They may start
to get high by themselves – at night or
before school. Here’s where we often
see grades dropping - lack of motivation
- not joining their usual club or sport,
cutting classes.
In the past weeks I have conducted an
informal poll asking kids if they have a
friend that has “gotten into pot” in a big
way, daily use and dropping activities. I
have not gotten a “no” yet – I get a sad
look as they tell me about that friend.
If this is happening in your family or to
someone you know:
TALK ABOUT IT
At a calm moment tell your teen your
concerns.
REPEAT FIRM RULES
No drugs in this house, no driving with
substances, etc.
OFFER HELP - NOT ACCEPTANCE
You would take them to a doctor for
medical care.
Don’t get into negotiating – this is for
their health and well-being and you are
still their parent at ANY age.
Martha Shilstone, LCSW
Phone/Voicemail: 270-4826
Substance Abuse Resources
There are many counseling services available:
• Newtown Youth and Family Services can do a clinical assessment for
substance abuse with you and your teen and make recommendations
for treatment.(426-4335).
• They also have a new support group called CHOAS: Choosing
Healthy Alternatives Over Substances that helps teens with coping,
addictions, etc., Wednesdays at 6:00pm.
• The Parent Connection has offered resources and support groups
(426-6424).
My favorite National Organizations/websites:
• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMSHA)