I'm Martha Early, a licensed clinical social worker with the department of family and community medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Substance abuse problems have no boundaries. Any cultural and socioeconomic group is at risk. The average age for beginning substance abuse is 10 to 12 years of age. Today there are just as many teenage girls as there are boys who are involved in the use, sale, and consequences of alcohol or other drugs.
Smoking cigarettes starts as young as eight years of age.
Alcohol, marijuana, LSD, and psychedelic mushrooms are easily accessible, and crack cocaine and heroin are appearing on the high school scene. These are two very risky drugs that are very difficult to quit. Consequences of substance abuse include falling grades, behavioral problems, family problems, and legal problems. Parents often note a change in attitude, a change in friends, or a change in appearance. If you have concerns about your child, connect with the school guidance counselors or teachers.