- In the U.S., about 3,000 teens smoke their first tobacco cigarette each day. About one-third of those adolescents become daily smokers.
- In 2004, the percentage of adolescents who have used any drug in the past month was about 27%.
- As of 2002, about one-third of 10th-graders used marijuana in the past year. Nearly one-fifth of 10th-graders said they used it in the past month.
- In 2002, about 2% of 10th-graders had used cocaine in the past year, 3% had used opiates, 13% had used inhalants, nearly 5% had used a club drug (for example, "Ecstasy"), and about 2% had used anabolic steroids.
- While the use of most drugs by teenagers has decreased since 2001, the abuse of Oxycontin, a narcotic, has increased to 5% of 10th-graders in 2004.
Monday, April 7, 2008
What are some statistics on teenage drug use?
Is your teen contemplating suicide?
In a study of 11,426 teens, 10 percent of the girls and 8 percent of the boys thought about suicide during the past year, and 3.6 percent said they had attempted suicide.
Many parents find these statistics alarming. Our teen suicide risk calculator can help you assess your teen's likelihood of contemplating suicide. The result can help you understand some of the reasons why teens have suicidal thoughts.
This test should be used only as a guideline and is based on information found in the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health.
Source: http://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/teen_suicide.asp
Many parents find these statistics alarming. Our teen suicide risk calculator can help you assess your teen's likelihood of contemplating suicide. The result can help you understand some of the reasons why teens have suicidal thoughts.
This test should be used only as a guideline and is based on information found in the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health.
Source: http://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/teen_suicide.asp
Five Ways Parents Can Reduce Teen Risk
- Be sensitive to the stress in your children's lives and help them cope.
- Understand when and why your children are bored and help relieve their boredom.
- Limit the amount of money your children have to spend and monitor how that money is spent.
- Know who your children's friends are.
- Be engaged in your children's lives: help them with their homework, attend their sports events, participate in activities together, and talk to them about drugs.
Source: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/teens/a/blcasa030819_2.htm
Thursday, April 3, 2008
At Risk Youth Issues
Crime – According to a 1999 study by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), “youths made up 54% of all arson arrests, 42% of all vandalism arrests, and 35% of all motor vehicle theft arrests.” 2 Evidently, youth crime is widespread problem and must be addressed on all levels.
Drug Abuse – Whether it be to escape the pressures of life, curiosity, or peer pressure, the temptation to do drugs is strong among teens. Worse still, drugs are readily available to them, with the end result being addiction. The best way to prevent a teen from turning to drugs is to educate them as well as provide them with alternative means of having fun and coping with their problems.
Alcohol Abuse – Despite the drinking age of 21, it is estimated that over three million teenagers abuse alcohol. Sadly, the impaired judgment brought on by drinking alcohol can have devastating effects, as seen by the multitude of tragic deaths in drunk driving accidents. Alcohol can ruin lives forever – it is important to seek help for yourself or a loved one who abuses alcohol.
Gangs – Unfortunately, the attractions of gang life for teens are many – prestige, the chance to make money through drug trafficking, a sense of belonging, or protection.1
These youth gang members are sixty times more likely to be killed than people in the general population.1 Gang membership is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
Anger Management – Many teens are unaware of how to manage their anger, and as a result they can be a danger to themselves and others. Additionally, anger management problems can lead to other detrimental behaviors such as criminal activity or drug abuse. It is important to address this issue through learning anger management skills or attending anger management counseling.
Self-Esteem – The turbulent teenage years are fraught with difficulties, and having a low self-esteem only compounds these issues. Low self-esteem can be linked to many other teen problems, such as anorexia, bulimia, suicide, and depression. Addressing self-esteem issues early on is an important preventative measure for at-risk teenagers.
Source: http://www.atrisk.org/at-risk-youth-program.html
Drug Abuse – Whether it be to escape the pressures of life, curiosity, or peer pressure, the temptation to do drugs is strong among teens. Worse still, drugs are readily available to them, with the end result being addiction. The best way to prevent a teen from turning to drugs is to educate them as well as provide them with alternative means of having fun and coping with their problems.
Alcohol Abuse – Despite the drinking age of 21, it is estimated that over three million teenagers abuse alcohol. Sadly, the impaired judgment brought on by drinking alcohol can have devastating effects, as seen by the multitude of tragic deaths in drunk driving accidents. Alcohol can ruin lives forever – it is important to seek help for yourself or a loved one who abuses alcohol.
Gangs – Unfortunately, the attractions of gang life for teens are many – prestige, the chance to make money through drug trafficking, a sense of belonging, or protection.1
These youth gang members are sixty times more likely to be killed than people in the general population.1 Gang membership is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
Anger Management – Many teens are unaware of how to manage their anger, and as a result they can be a danger to themselves and others. Additionally, anger management problems can lead to other detrimental behaviors such as criminal activity or drug abuse. It is important to address this issue through learning anger management skills or attending anger management counseling.
Self-Esteem – The turbulent teenage years are fraught with difficulties, and having a low self-esteem only compounds these issues. Low self-esteem can be linked to many other teen problems, such as anorexia, bulimia, suicide, and depression. Addressing self-esteem issues early on is an important preventative measure for at-risk teenagers.
Source: http://www.atrisk.org/at-risk-youth-program.html
What defines an "At-Risk" youth?
Many social critics argue that today’s youth face more serious and critical risks than any previous generation. The issues associated with “at-risk youth” including youth crime, violence, sex, substance abuse, poor academic performance, and gang activity put teens at risk. Research shows that at-risk youth struggle with complex issues and scenarios that are brought on by peers, mentors, family members, and difficult social environments.
Teenagers who have trouble coping with the stresses of life are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, engage in criminal activity, are sexually promiscuous, and attempt suicide. Many of these at-risk teens run away and eventually find themselves locked up in detention centers or living on the streets.
Source: http://www.at-risk.org/whois-atrisk.html
Teenagers who have trouble coping with the stresses of life are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, engage in criminal activity, are sexually promiscuous, and attempt suicide. Many of these at-risk teens run away and eventually find themselves locked up in detention centers or living on the streets.
Source: http://www.at-risk.org/whois-atrisk.html
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