Drug abuse in social settings: a serious risk for teens.--A message from Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director of NIDA NIDA National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA National Institute of Dramatic Arts (Australia) NIDA Northern Ireland Development Agency (UK) NIDA Northern Ireland Dairy Association Dear Teacher: Teens are social beings. As a teacher who works with adolescents, you definitely won't find that shocking! Probably more than anyone, you understand how important it is for teens to feel like they fit in--that they're part of the crowd. Unfortunately, this strong social instinct among teens--which certainly has some positive aspects--can put them at high risk for drug abuse, especially in social settings such as parties and after-school hangout hang·out n. Slang A frequently visited place. Noun 1. hangout - a frequently visited place haunt, stamping ground, resort, repair sessions. This year's fourth and final installment of Heads Up: Real Nezvs About Drugs and Your Body deals with the issues of adolescent drug abuse in social situations. The issues are real and important. Researchers have found that most teens who abuse drugs first do so in social settings. If we can cut off this route to drug abuse and addiction addiction: see drug addiction and drug abuse. , we may save many young people from lifetimes of drug-related problems. This article in the Heads Up series presents the issue to readers in a straightforward way, and reveals the science behind why it can be so tough for teens to make smart decisions in social settings. It also offers research-tested drug-refusal strategies that students can draw on as they navigate (1) "Surfing the Web." To move from page to page on the Web. (2) To move through the menu structure in a software application. the teen social maze maze, detail of landscape gardening based on the Greek labyrinth, consisting of intricate paths or alleys lined with high hedges and having a center and exit difficult to find. It was a prominent feature in the formal English gardens of the 17th and 18th cent. this summer. Along with this sober subject matter, the article also shares good news. The results for 2005 are in from NIDA's annual Monitoring the Future Monitoring the Future is an annual survey given to 50,000 8th, 10th and 12th graders in the United States to determine drug use trends and patterns. The survey started in 1975, with 12th graders. It was expanded in 1991 to include 8th and 10th graders as well. survey, and teen drug use is stable, with indications of a continuing general decline for a record fifth year in a row, except for certain prescription drugs prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, . Thank you for working with me and the team of NIDA researchers to bring science-based facts about drug abuse to your students. By taking classroom time to share the lessons of Heads Up with your students this year, you have helped to set the stage for a healthier, smarter, drug-free generation of young adults. You are truly making a difference. Sincerely, Nora D. Volkow, MD Director of NIDA |
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