Enjoy summer fun without drugs

To the editor:
School is almost out and summer is nearly here.
Many students look forward to the freedom that this time brings as it gives them a break from the school structure and assignments. Often times, however, it leaves many with too much free time which can lead to making bad decisions like involving themselves with drug and alcohol use.
With alcohol being the most abused drug by teens, the Center for Disease Control found that it leads to approximately 189,000 emergency room visits nationwide and kills more than 4,300 underage drinkers annually (CDC, 2015). What’s more, although those under 21 illegally consume alcohol, those who are 12 to 20 years old drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States (CDC, 2015). In a 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, researchers found that within a 30-day period 35 percent of youth drank alcohol, 21 percent binge drank, 10 percent drove after consuming the alcohol and 22 percent rode with a driver who had been drinking (CDC, 2015.)
The same 2013 study found that 41 percent of youth had used marijuana once or twice in their lifetime, with 9 percent being younger than 13 years old when they first used the drug (CDC, 2015). Twenty-four percent currently use marijuana; 7 percent had used hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, acid, PCP or mushrooms; 6 percent had used cocaine (CDC, 2015). The consequences of using drugs and alcohol are numerous for youth: school absences, violence, juvenile court involvement, illnesses, risky sexual behavior, teen pregnancy, disruption of normal growth and development, alcohol and drug-related car accidents, memory and cognition disorders, abuse of other drugs and they are placed at higher risk for suicide and homicide (CDC, 2015).
Physical, mental and social consequences don’t stop at alcohol and illicit drug use; tobacco use is also harmful to youth. Although the use of cigarettes by youth has declined over time, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased: 5 of every 100 middle schoolers and 16 out of every 100 high schoolers use electronic cigarettes (CDC, 2015). Many times, flavorings in the electronic cigarettes can make it more appealing to youth to use. The CDC states that most adult cigarette use begins in adolescence, and using tobacco as a teen can lead to a myriad of health problems later in life such as heart disease, lung disease, cancer, stroke, asthma, poor teeth and gum health, decreased vision, inflammation and decreased immune health (CDC, 2015).
There are many ways for kids to have fun this summer without turning to drugs and alcohol. Going to the movies, to the pool, reading, going for a walk with friends, riding bikes, shopping, etc. offer fun without the list of negative consequences to teens’ health and wellbeing.
If these issues are of interest to you please feel free to attend the next Jay County Drug Coalition meeting. It is scheduled for 3:30 pm May 23 at East Jay Middle School.
Christina Picklesimon
Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition