Not too long ago I wrote a blog about more people being in drug rehab for marijuana than any other drug. Someone left a comment on the blog calling me an idiot, saying that those people were sent to drug rehab by the court system and that there really isn’t anything wrong with marijuana. In fact, there is plenty wrong with marijuana, and here’s another one: a new study shows that someone who’s been smoking marijuana is twice as likely to get into a car crash.

The study looked at the results of nine prior studies regarding the relationship between marijuana and motor vehicle accidents. All but one study showed that the risk of having a motor vehicle accident while smoking marijuana – i.e. within 3 to 4 hours – was increased by nearly three times. And the more marijuana was smoked – both how much was smoked and how often – the greater the risk.

The authors assume that the reason for this increase is because marijuana decreased reaction time and coordination.

So, why should you get your family members into a drug rehab program if they’re smoking marijuana?

• We now know that there’s a much greater chance of them having a car accident.
• There is evidence that it causes brain damage.
• It causes disassociation – marijuana smokers are less connected to reality and the people around them.
• Someone could unknowingly buy marijuana that is laced with other drugs.
• We also know that the THC content (THC is the substance in marijuana that makes you high) is normally between 7.5 percent and 24 percent – whereas it used to be about 5 percent. This cause more physical and mental impairment, and more impaired judgment.
• Impaired judgment could increase the chances of the person taking other types of drugs.

True, you don’t see some of the most obviously distasteful sights associated with other drugs – not too many people are hunkering down in filthy alley smoking marijuana. Maybe that’s why some people don’t think marijuana is a problem.

But the facts above are very good reasons to not smoke marijuana, and to get help for those who do.

Popularity: 1% [?]

According to a recent headline, Colorado drug rehab centers are treating more teens for marijuana addiction since the state legalized marijuana for medicinal use. In fact, at one center the number of marijuana addicts referred for drug rehab has tripled. Where are they getting the drugs? 83% said they got it from someone who was prescribed marijuana for medical reasons.

Many surveys about the perception of prescription drugs have found invariably that people expect prescription drugs to be safe. After all, they’re prescribed by doctors, who are supposed to be taking care of our health. However, it is obvious from the statistics on abuse, addiction and death from prescription drug overdose that nothing could be further from the truth.

Now, with 14 states having approved marijuana for medical use, the perception of marijuana is also changing. Surveys show that teens’ perception of marijuana as safe has increased.

Many people who use marijuana say it’s not addictive. Well, it may not be as prone to physical dependence as other drugs but, although physical dependence can lead to addiction, addiction and physical dependence are different things.

Also, some marijuana users deny that it’s a gateway drug. They say they’ve been using marijuana for years and have never used other drugs and have no desire to do so. That may well be true for them, but there are also many, many people who do go from marijuana to other, more dangerous, drugs.

Marijuana, innocent though it may seem, is a dangerous drug and is a problem. Having it available by prescription apparently isn’t helping.

Watch out for your kids and make sure they understand that marijuana is dangerous and addictive, and that doctors prescribing it does not make it safe. Other prescription drugs are sending people to drug rehab, so is marijuana.

Popularity: 1% [?]