EARLY MARIJUANA USE A WARNING SIGN FOR LATER GANG INVOLVEMENT

New Report Shows Teens Who Use Drugs Are More Likely to Engage in Violent and Delinquent Behavior

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is releasing a new report today (June 19, 2007) showing that teens who use drugs are more likely to engage in violent and delinquent behavior and join gangs.  Research shows that early use of marijuana – the most commonly used drug among teens – is a warning sign for later gang involvement.  Given that the summer months are traditionally risky times when it comes to drug use among teens, the Media Campaign is urging parents and community groups to keep in mind that structured and supervised activities help keep teens away from drugs and other risky behaviors.

The report shows that teens who use drugs are twice as likely to commit violent acts than those who do not.  It also shows that the more drugs a teenager uses, the more likely they are to engage in violent behavior. Other findings include:

*  Teens who use drugs, particularly marijuana, are more likely to steal and experiment with other drugs and alcohol, compared to teens who don’t;

*  One in four teens (27%) who used illicit drugs in the past year report attacking others with the intent to harm;

*  Nearly one in six teens (17%) who got into serious fights at school or work in the past year report using drugs;

*  Teens who use marijuana regularly are nine times more likely than teens who don’t to experiment with other illicit drugs or alcohol, and five times more likely to steal;

*  Parents remain the most powerful influence on their kids when it comes to illicit drugs; and

*  Teens who are supervised or involved in structured activities during after school hours are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use and other violent or delinquent behaviors, than those youth who are unsupervised.

Although overall teen drug use has declined by 23 percent in five years and youth marijuana use is down by 25 percent over the same time period, more teens use marijuana than any other illicit drug.  Parents and community groups play a crucial role in ensuring that teens are supervised and participating in activities that keep them away from drugs and other risky behaviors, especially during the summer months.  For more information on actions parents can take, please visit the “Teens, Drugs, and Violence” section on TheAntiDrug.com: http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/advice_gangs.asp  

** Download the full report on “Teens, Drugs, and Violence” at http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/advice_gangs.asp

** Find out about youth service opportunities available in your community by signing up for Youth Service America’s tip sheet on the benefits of youth at www.ysa.org

** Order free resources: Free anti-drug and parenting resources, including brochures, CD-ROMs, posters, and postcards are available to order at www.TheAntiDrug.com/news/get-resources.aspx. Bulk orders can be shipped at no cost to distribute at conferences, conventions, and meetings – or just to have on-site at your office.  Orders can also be e-mailed to nyac@theantidrug.com.

** Sign up for the Parenting Tips Newsletter: Encourage parents in your community to sign up for TheAntiDrug.com’s Parenting Tips Newsletter, a periodic e-mail notification with advice and strategies to help keep teenagers healthy and drug-free.  Sign up at http://www.theantidrug.com/newsletter.asp. 

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MEDIA CAMPAIGN FLASH is your source for the latest news on the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.  Feel free to forward this information to your community partners and announce this information on your Web site or in your organizational newsletter.  Free materials from the Media Campaign are available to distribute in your community.

ABOUT THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN: The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign reaches youth ages 9-18, with emphasis on adolescents aged 14-16, their parents and other adults who influence choices young people make to lead drug-free lives.  For more information on the Media Campaign, check out www.MediaCampaign.org.