Dr. MJ Bazos MD, Patient Handout
Marijuana: Your Child and Drugs

Guidelines for Parents

Young people today face intense peer pressure and difficult decisions about drug use. As a parent, this also means you must learn to cope with the possibility of drug use. Marijuana is a harmful drug. But in many communities, it is readily available to our children. Marijuana continues to be popular among some young people, who falsely consider it a “safe drug.” Marijuana use by teenagers has decreased in recent years. However, young people may try this drug at an early age — even during grade school. Studies also show that more than 25 percent of teenagers say they have tried marijuana before entering the 10th grade.

A 1990 national survey of American high school seniors notes the following:

• 40 percent have used marijuana or hashish at some time in their lives
• 14 percent reported use in the past 30 days
• 2 percent reported daily use
• 84 percent said the drug is fairly easy or very easy to get

Medical experts are concerned about these statistics and about higher-potency marijuana that is now available. The ingredient THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main mood-altering substance found in marijuana. When the drug became popular during the 1960s, the THC level averaged 0.2 percent. Today, marijuana contains THC levels of at least 5 percent, which makes it 25 times more potent than during the 1960s. Marijuana also contains more than 400 other chemicals that can be health hazards.

Why children are at risk
Children are more likely to try marijuana because they often are immature. These youngsters face pressure from friends who want them to try drugs. Recent studies on the health effects of marijuana show that the drug affects the brain, heart, lungs, sexual organs and the immune system. Marijuana distorts the senses, causes problems with motor skills and clouds
judgement. The effects of marijuana can make operating a vehicle or engaging in sports activities risky. In fact, marijuana use is a suspected cause of some accidental injuries and death among teens — especially from car and motorcycle accidents. Physicians also are concerned that marijuana use can cause growth and development problems in preteen and young teen users.

Marijuana can affect your child’s development in a number of ways:

• Preteens and teenagers begin to form their own identity by taking risks and meeting challenges. As they gain more freedom from their parents, they make new friends and form new personal values about themselves and others. Heavy marijuana use can interfere with growing up, because it can make a child withdrawn or less motivated.
• During the teen years, adolescents begin to think, function and act like adults. Marijuana can impair learning and cause a child to have a short attention span or short-term memory loss.
• Sexual feelings are developing and changing, and marijuana use can make these changes even more confusing. Under the influence of marijuana, teens may engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk. This could lead to an unplanned pregnancy or to getting a sexually transmitted disease (including the virus that causes AIDS).

Physicians believe it is dangerous for children to try any addictive drug, especially those that are illegal. Doctors have found that marijuana use may lead children to experiment with “harder” drugs, such as cocaine. Marijuana also can prevent children from learning how to become mature adults. Therefore, physicians are opposed to the use and/or legalization of marijuana.

Why do children try marijuana?
There are many reasons why children try drugs. Some of the most common reasons are:

• Peer pressure from friends
• A chance to avoid dealing with strong emotions
• Curiosity
• A way to rebel and be different
• A quick way to have fun

Some children may think trying marijuana will make them “cool” or seem more adult. They need to know marijuana use is not a normal step in growing up — despite what other children may say. Make sure your child knows it’s okay to say “no” to drug use.

Stages of marijuana use
There are three stages of drug use that usually occur:

1. Experimenting with mood-altering drugs.

This stage is one of sampling and drug use in search of “fun.” There is strong peer pressure to enter this stage. Use is often limited to weekends, and there usually is no obvious change in behavior, except for secret activities meant to hide marijuana use.

2. Actively seeking drugs.

A threshold is crossed when a child begins to depend on marijuana. At this stage, the child may use marijuana to produce “good feelings” and escape reality. Usage increases to midweek. Behavior begins to change and schoolwork may slip. Problems that develop at home and school because of drug use may contribute to an increase in drug use as well.

3. Preoccupation with drugs.

There is a marked loss of control over drug use, and the user may become angry or isolated without marijuana. Because heavy use is costly, a child may steal from family and friends to pay for marijuana; this may lead to trouble with the law. Whether or not a child becomes a heavy user will depend on his or her reasons for trying marijuana in the first place. Help from family members, teachers, physicians or clergy can halt the process.

How to help your child:

• Peer group pressure: By being independent, your child can say “no” to peer pressure and avoid using marijuana. Encourage your son or daughter to be independent. Let him or her make some personal decisions. Show you care and do everything possible to build your child’s self-esteem and confidence.
• Dealing with emotions: During the teen years, many adolescents face strong emotions for the first time. These new feelings are difficult to cope with and may cause anxiety in your child. Help your child cope with emotions by letting him or her know that feelings will change. Explain that mood swings are not really bad, and they won’t last forever.
• Developing an identity: Your child may feel overwhelmed by the demands of growing up. To escape these demands, he or she could turn to drugs. Help your child develop an identity to avoid this problem. Gradually allow your son or daughter to make more decisions alone. As he or she becomes more responsible, you can still provide guidance, emotional support and security when necessary. Becoming responsible also means facing the consequences of one’s actions. Making a few mistakes is a normal part of growing up, so try not to be too critical when your son or daughter makes a mistake.
• Curiosity: Plan to discuss a wide variety of topics with your child, including drugs. Young children who don’t know the facts about drugs are at greater risk of trying marijuana.
• Be a good role model: As a parent, you should avoid use of marijuana and other drugs. You’re the best role model for your child. Make a stand against drug issues — your child will listen.
• Fun and free-time: Young people constantly seek fun and adventure. Unfortunately, they can become bored easily. Drugs offer what seems to be a care-free “high” with little or no effort. Help your child avoid the lure of drugs. To build your child’s self-esteem, encourage him or her to set goals and make choices. With each success, your child will learn to form a positive self-image. You also can help by taking an active interest in what he or she does.

If you think your child has a drug problem, ask your physician for help. Advice about avoiding drug use is just one important part of pediatric preventive health care services.