Those who insist on keeping the plant illegal bear a serious degree of moral responsibility for young marijuana users who do go on to use cocaine, heroin, PCP or other genuinely dangerous or addictive drugs. The survey represents the responses of 26,086 students in 22 states nationwide. With more than 3.8 million fourth graders in public and private schools, that percentage represents more than a million students. Monthly frequency of drug use is considered current drug use. Even one-time use of some inhalants can produce brain damage or death.
Fourth graders are aware that drugs are prevalent in society.
Today's study of students, mostly ages 9-12, dramatically demonstrates the increase in drug use that occurs when children move from elementary to middle school. The percentage of students reporting annual use of marijuana escalated from 0.8 percent among fourth graders to 3.7 percent among sixth graders. Gleaton noted that social factors such as associating with new friends might explain the escalation in drug use between the two grades. Sharp increases were seen in the number of students who said their friends use drugs, known as perceived use. Among the group that believes none of their friends use drugs, beer use was 2 percent and cigarette use was 0.9 percent.