Some more good news is that the percentage of kids who perceive alcohol, tobacco, and drug use as risky and harmful has increased. The following information was provided by the Dr. Shinitzky, National Institute on Drug Abuse, The American Council for Drug Education, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The biggest risk factor in kids using drugs is parental drug use. The biggest deterrent is parental involvement. Parents can help prevent their children from becoming involved in drugs by telling their children, consistently and clearly, not to do drugs.
Young people begin drug use for many reasons.
Common reasons are that children who use drugs don t get from their families clear messages not to do drugs, others feel pressures in their community, and others respond to peer pressure. Research suggests that alcohol and drug use by family members plays a strong role in drug use by children. Children and teens who are physically and sexually abused are at greater risk than their peers of using drugs and of beginning drug use at an earlier age. According to Dr. Shinitzky, the majority of kids don t use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. But for those who do, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United States.