National Drug Control Policy Reveals Consequences of Early Marijuana Use

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has released a report entitled: "Teens, Drugs, and Violence."

The report contains figures that indicate that teens who are dug users are most likely to engage in violent and illegal behavior as well as be more likely to join gangs. Another fact that comes out of this report is the fact that marijuana is the most used drug in the teen years and also early use of marijuana can lead to later involvement in gangs. It also shows that teens who are drug users have double the risk for being the ones who commit acts of violence as compared with teens who do not. They are also more likely to steal and use alcohol as well as move on to use other illegal drugs.

The report was released in Philadelphia by John P. Walters, the Director of National Drug Control Policy. In his statement, he made the point that drug use is a public health and safety problem and not a lifestyle choice.

In the past five years, teen drug use has gone down by 23% and marijuana use has dropped a little more, 25% and more teens are using marijuana that any other illegal drug.

Marijuana is the most used drug in the gang culture, but it is Surpassed by alcohol and young people who are marijuana users are almost four times as likely to join gangs.

Other results include these facts.

Teens who are most likely to resort to stealing are also most likely to use marijuana and experiment with other drugs and alcohol
Of the teens who used drugs, 27% said they have attacked others with the intent to do bodily harm.

Of the teens who got into serious fights either at school or at work, 17% reported that they used drugs.

Teens who are regular marijuana users are about nine times more likely to use other drugs or alcohol than those who do not use marijuana and are also five times more likely to steal.

Also, teens who are not drug or alcohol users have any easier time when it comes to leaving the teen years and becoming a young adult.