As Heather's pot intake increased, she wanted even more. LSD, mescaline, crack, codeine, cocaine and amphetamines. It was what she started out with, and what she ended up with. Studies show that there are developmental stages in drug use, though one drug doesn't inevitably lead to the next stage of abuse. A marijuana user most likely started with alcohol and cigarettes.
Researchers say few people experiment with other drugs without having tried marijuana first.
A 1994 analysis showed that adults that used pot as children are 17 times more likely to become regular cocaine users. Heather wasn't supposed to be there. Through conferences with her guidance counselor, her parents found out about her doctored grades and frequent absences. They now suspected alcohol or drugs and grounded her. But that evening her parents had gone out.