Last month, the National Institutes of Health released national survey results on teen drug use in 2023. Overall, the news was positive with 2023 data showing either stable or declining trends in the use of illicit substances among middle and high school students.
However, at the same time that drug use is declining overall, it has become more dangerous. There has still been a dramatic rise in overdose deaths in the last couple of years which is largely attributed to fentanyl, a potent synthetic drug used in counterfeit pills made to resemble prescription medications. Every teen should be informed about the danger of fentanyl. You can learn more about it and how to talk to your teen in our previous blog, What Teens Should Know About Fentanyl.
In addition, parents should also be aware of how teen marijuana use has changed over the last few years. Marijuana is significantly more potent now than ever before, and teens are using it more frequently and with new methods. For example, dabbing is a method of consuming marijuana (cannabis) in a concentrated form through vaping. Referred to as dabs, budder, crumble or shatter, these marijuana concentrates usually look like dark brown or yellow-colored wax and can feel very sticky and gummy. With extremely high THC levels, the effects of dabbing are known to be felt rapidly, providing people with a quick and powerful high. You can learn more about the changes in marijuana danger and signs to look for in our previous blog, How Teen Marijuana Use Has Significantly Changed.
It’s important for parents to continue talking to their children about the dangers of drug use, and to be able to talk about the most current trends. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, teens are 50% less likely to use drugs if they learn about the risks of drug use from their parents. It’s important for trustworthy adults to provide teens with factual information. The facts both empower adolescents to make smarter decisions and give them the message that their families are open to answering their questions and providing assistance when they need it.