Teenagers and Synthetic Marijuana (Spice, K2): What parents need to know

Recently released statistics released by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) shows that synthetic marijuana’s popularity among teenagers is on the rise. Unfortunately, the statistics reveal that teenagers are among its most popular users. Of the 11,406 people sent to the emergency room for synthetic marijuana in 2010, a third were between the ages of 12 and 17. A survey revealed that synthetic pot is the second most used drug among high school seniors, with 11.4% admitting to use.

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Untreated Issues in Adolescence Linger into Adulthood: Teen Dating Violence and Teen ADHD

Two articles published today reinforce the notion that untreated issues in adolescent years linger into adulthood. The first article Teen Dating Violence Affects Well-Being in Adulthood published in USAtoday.com cites a new study that shows that teenagers who reported physical or psychological abuse from a relationship reported more drinking, smoking, drug abuse, depression, thoughts of suicide, and anti-social behaviors 5 years later. The study is hoping to raise awareness about this public health hazard and encourages parents, educators, and pediatricians to talk to teens about dating violence to quickly get help for those who need it.

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Medical Marijuana: Explaining Colorado’s new laws to your teenager

This year’s presidential elections brought no change to the presidency but the local elections in Colorado and Washington State led to new laws that will legalize recreational use of marijuana. As a parent, it is important to understand the new rules and how they may apply to your family. News of marijuana legalization and the benefits of medical marijuana may give teenagers the “ammunition” they need to justify to themselves that smoking pot is okay and can even be good for you. So, let’s examine the issues, the new laws, and medical marijuana to give you the ammunition you need to dispel the notion that smoking marijuana is okay because certain states have legalized it.

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Teenagers, Football, & Concussions: The Jovan Belcher Tragedy

Football is America’s favorite sport garnering national interest from nearly all levels of play; high school, college, and professional. The recent tragedy of Jovan Belcher’s murder-suicide leaves the nation once again asking if horrible heartbreaks like this can be prevented. The spotlight returns to a surprisingly unanswered question: does the physical nature of football, specifically repeated head injuries, lead to suicidal and horrific behavior?

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Teenagers and Bad Grades: Depression or Bad Behavior?

Succeeding in high school is an important foundation for teenagers as they transition into early adulthood. It is important to stay informed about your teen’s performance at school by communicating with teachers, administrators, or guidance counselors. Talk to your teenager if report card grades fell below expectations. While a drop in grades could be as simple as your teenager struggling with a new subject or teacher, it could be a red flag for a variety of issues such as attention issues such as ADHD, depression, substance abuse, or bad behavior. Consider all factors to help your teen get back on track as soon as possible.

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