Marijuana (cannabis) has many short and long term effects. The heart rate can increase by up to 50% depending on the potency of the drug. Its use can cause chest pain and damage to the lungs, while containing more cancer-causing agents than tobacco.

Ecstasy, or ‘E’, produces intense feelings of pleasure, empathy and happiness. It is coined the ‘love drug’, as it creates a euphoric feeling in the user. This opens up a risky door, as it intensifies the desire for sex. The effect lasts 4-6 hours, leaving feelings of sadness and of being ill afterwards. Jaw-clenching is a common side effect, as are sweaty palms. Being a relatively new drug, there are few studies that can predict all of the long term health effects. What has been shown to date, besides immediate use E-related deaths, are sleep problems, severe depression. Recent research also suggests it can cause liver and kidney problems.

Ketamine, a depressant and a rapid-acting general anesthetic, is another new drug that our children are experimenting with. It's actually marketed as a general anesthetic in both human and veterinary medical practice. It produces a dis-associative state, with effects ranging anywhere from rapture to paranoia. Commonly known as the ‘date rape’ drug, long term effects are possible physical and psychological dependence. Other effects are unknown at this time as again, it is too new for any conclusive long term adverse health effects. According to several studies in the United Kingdom, ketamine has replaced ecstasy in Great Britain as the drug of choice among young people.

Magic mushrooms have made a come-back from the 1970's. Their powerful hallucinogenic effect is derived from the psychedelic chemical psilocybin. This chemical changes the way you see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. Increased blood pressure and heartbeat, dizziness, upset stomach, anxiety, and numbness of the tongue and mouth are common short term effects. Long term effects, especially for those who have a psychological ailment, are psychotic episodes.

Salvia is legal in many places and can be found in corner stores and garden centers. The plant, salvia divinorum, has effects similar to marijuana for some users and is very inexpensive. Salvia became popular among teenagers about three years ago.

These drugs can be found in our schools, as well as on the street. Not only are they easy to find but, worryingly, they are also affordable. Approximately 10 Dollars in the U.S. and Canada can purchase: one gram of marijuana, one hit of ecstasy, one gram of mushrooms or two to three grams of salvia. Ketamine is a much more expensive drug and therefore, thankfully, not as readily available in terms of cost.

Risk Factors

Community risk factors play a role with the onset of drug use. Deteriorating and/or neighborhoods with a high crime rate can play a role in both drug availability and peer pressures. So too can high barriers to employment, unemployment, inadequate housing, and frequent family moves; all can contribute to greater risk of a teenager experimenting with illegal substances and alcohol, and any of these factors will require extra vigilance from caring parents.

Peer pressure and parental indiscretion especially needs monitoring, as in many instances this reason alone has been the ‘tipping point’ moment given by youths for being the reason they decided to experiment with drugs.

This isn't news in North America. In the November 1st, 2005 issue of Macleans Magazine, an article entitled ‘Pass the weed Dad’ informs readers that some parents are smoking marijuana with their children. There are 1.5 million Canadians (according to the Canadian Medical Association) who smoke marijuana for recreational purposes. A Canadian Addiction Survey found that there has been an increase from 1.4% in 1994 to 8.4% in 2004 of middle-aged adults that smoke marijuana.

There are parents who smoke marijuana and think this has no affect on their children. Just two months ago, in November 2008, an 11 year old girl in northern Ohio reported her parents, for marijuana smoking, to the police. When police arrived the girl ran behind an officer and apologized to her mother, saying she ‘couldn't take it anymore’. The mother and step-father were charged with child endangering.

Mentoring has a tremendous affect on our children. Odds are very high that if parents smoke cigarettes, their children will too. The same is true for drug use; the task of educating youth about the dangers of drugs is difficult when they see the parent engaged in drug use.

Parents Aren’t Perfect

There is no such thing as the perfect family. We all have problems from time to time, and we all make mistakes. As adults, lessons learned from our mistakes is what has helped us to become who we are today…and that itself is a lesson about how to handle adversity and error. Being honest about any given situation in life and recognizing mistakes in front of your children as they occur is excellent role modeling. Doing so will help them see that mistakes that they make are not the ‘end of the road’, but rather, they can be a new beginning.

Good News

In September 2008, USNews.com reported that there are increasing numbers of teenagers who are choosing to stay away from illegal street drugs. This is great news that the vast amount of information and education is reaping positive results.

With statistics and societal pressures seemingly stacked against our kids that they will experiment with marijuana or another drug, we hold tremendous power as parents from the day our children are born, both by living by example and by being good teachers.

Handy Tips

• Start talking about drugs and alcohol at an early age. Teenagers will experiment younger than we think. Drug education should start ideally at the 11-13 year old range (depending on the maturity level of your child).
• Monitor your child's activities and friends. Unsupervised youth are more likely to get into trouble.
• Keep ‘em busy. Sports and extra-curricular activities are great, as are family fitness programs
• Spend time with your children. Listen to them about their day while playing board games
• Always stay current on what drugs are out there. Just when we think we have a handle on things, there's something new.
• Communicate in positive ways with all family members.
• Be involved in your children's schooling.
• Promote positive values, including responsibility and restraint.
• Help your children develop a sense of personal power and purpose, good self-esteem and a positive view of their future.
• A positive faith journey can be one of the most positive influencers in any child’s life

Searching For…

Teenagers worldwide may not openly admit it, but in online chat rooms where they are ‘cloaked’, truth can be found. Under seemingly tough exteriors, and as important as the basics we provide them in life, is the need of a nurturing and supportive family.

Many youth today have ‘stumbled’ into substance abuse as a means of escape…for a multitude of reasons. Many have parents who are rarely at home, some have parents who are alcoholics or addicted to drugs themselves. Alternatively, some have parents who are very rigid and refuse to allow their child to express thoughts and opinions in a meaningful, constructive way. And sadly, another contributing factor in their reasoning to experiment with drug use is witnessing their mother or father being emotionally or physically abused by the other. As sad, there are children with other grim secrets, driving them to drugs thinking they will find a peaceful place…we need to provide our children…every single one of them…a better place.

If You Need Help

If you or a loved one needs help for your child there is hope at our fingertips, as we live in a time where internet access can bring helpful, encouraging information in seconds.

Call your family physician. Your doctor can be a great ally when drugs have become a problem in your home. If you attend church, your church leaders can help provide both you and your child spiritual assistance.

Another suggestion is to look up Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous in your local phone book. Their 12-step programs have restored hope to millions of people worldwide.

No family is immune…we live in the world…but a strong, healthy family with faith and open, respectful communication are your best tools in resisting the temptation of alcohol and drugs.