Recent studies have proved that pot smoking at a young age can lead to problems with harder drugs and alcohol abuse as adults. The studies have gone on to show that even occasionally indulging contributes to this phenomenon. This is the “gateway drug” theory, and unfortunately, it appears to be true.

Teens who start smoking pot around ages 13 or 14 are more likely to move on to drugs like ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines and heavy alcohol consumption. This should be a warning to all parents, no matter how unlikely you think your child is to partake. Kids hang out with all kinds of influences and could be doing things that you don’t know about.

Unfortunately, there isn’t any special trick to getting your kids to stay away. But, being honest, having an open line of communication and keeping your children active in positive groups and activities can be one way of combating the drug scene.

If you do suspect that your child is using drugs, don’t wait and hope that they “grow out of it”. Be up-front. Tell them about your concerns. You could be saving them from a life of addiction, social problems, job troubles, family issues and possibly death.

Kids who have drug and/or alcohol issues should be addressed and, if needed, go to a drug rehab program. They’re much more likely to get past the addiction and be able to live drug free, productive lives.

Pot is a hot topic right now, with all of the medical marijuana laws and California considering making it legal for recreational use. I sincerely hope that these studies are taken into consideration. Things could certainly take a tragic turn for the worse!

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Did you know that prescription drug poisoning is the second leading cause of death in the United States? A recent study has shown that between the years 1999 – 2006 hospitalizations for accidental overdose of prescription drugs has increased by one-third. And, as if that’s not bad enough, hospitalizations for intentional overdoses of prescription drugs has gone up by 130% over that same period of time.

These staggering figures include people of all ages, teenagers, twenty-somethings, thirty somethings, up to the elderly. The study has shown that women under the age of thirty four are far more likely to be admitted for accidental overdose. When they looked at men vs. women, the study showed that men were more likely to be admitted than women for accidental overdose though (of all ages).

As I mentioned above, teenagers are no exception to this study. Prescription drugs really aren’t that difficult to get. Whether through a doctor, their parent’s medicine cabinets, or even from a dealer selling them.

Controlled substances like psychoactive drugs as well as other substances like depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens and anabolic steroids have a tendency to hook people. They are easy to become dependant on and/or addicted to. They are not something, obviously – from viewing the results of the study, that anyone should play around with. And what most people don’t consider is that just because they’re prescribed by a physician or taken by parents or family members, this does not make them safe and give a green light to use them for fun.

If you know anyone who has what you think even might be a problem with prescription drugs, or you-yourself are taking them inappropriately, I hope that this is a wake up call and that you do something to stop immediately. The last thing anyone wants is another prescription drug overdose to add to the statistics for the next round of case studying. Get help now for prescription drug addiction and good drug rehab program or drug detox can be the answer.

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I’ve seen a couple of articles within the past several months about the possibility of drug testing welfare recipients. My first thought when I read the information was, why hasn’t this already begun? Why are we even wasting our time “considering” this idea?

With a nation that has a drug problem of epidemic proportion, we have got to be proactive in coming up with some solutions to this problem. I’m not saying that all people who are on welfare are drug users, or even that everyone should be tested. What I am saying though, is that welfare recipients should be randomly tested, and there should certainly be consequences for those who do not pass.

As a working taxpayer, who helps to pay for the welfare system, I must say that I am not into the idea of anyone using that aid to buy drugs. There are people out there who use the welfare system to help them get on their feet through rough economic times, and that is appropriate. And, there are people who take advantage of the system. The latter group are the ones that need to be weeded out so they’re not taking benefits away from those who genuinely deserve them.

Ideally, the people who test positively for drug use should get help in a good drug rehab program. It would actually be great to offer some sort of services to get them in drug rehab programs so they can get through their addictions and back into the world living drug free.

I guess it’s a touchy and tricky subject. I felt strongly enough about it though to comment. What are your thoughts?

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