Survey Reports More Than Half of American Teens at Risk for Substance Abuse

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) reported results from a recent survey stating that 55% of American teenagers have a moderate-to-high risk of substance abuse.  The National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse is CASA's ninth such report, the latest dealing with teen dating practices and sexual activity.

Though other national surveys last year had shown a decrease in substance abuse among youth, this latest report indicates a four percent increase (to 48%) in 12 to 17 year olds who have friends that regularly drink alcohol and an a six percent rise in those that smoke marijuana (38%).  Disturbingly, the report also claims forty-four percent of high school students think that boys at their school sometimes or often try to push girls into drinking or using drugs in an attempt to have sex or do other sexual things.

Regardless of slight ups and downs in trends of youth substance abuse over the years, the fact is that the vast majority of this country's societal problems stem from drugs and there aren't nearly enough effective solutions in place to prevent and handle these issues.  The link between teen drug use and early sexual conduct is also very clear, sparking still more social and health problems such as teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, which inevitably increase the financial burden on taxpayers. 

The best way to start getting a grip on these issues is through good, honest communication between parents and their kids.  In fact, this same survey reported that forty-two percent of teens said they would like to honestly discuss dating with their parents at dinner, and thirty percent said they'd like to talk about substance abuse.

Open communication is one of the strong assets of Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of the nation's largest and most successful drug education and rehabilitation programs and uses the proven successful drug-free methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard.  For example, each and every prevention lecture delivered to youth by Narconon Arrowhead presenters starts with a communication exercise and lots of questions and two-way communication are encouraged.

Narconon Arrowhead is the centerpiece of the worldwide network of over 120 programs in 38 countries.  It is a non-traditional program and it continues to grow simply because it works, and that is exactly what this country needs, results.

For more information or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.  To read the full report of the CASA survey, visit www.casacolumbia.org. 

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