DrugFreeAZKids.org understands the importance of communicating with your children. We want to share the necessary tools and information with you for starting these important conversations. Talking with your child about the dangers of drugs can reduce the chance of them using by up to 50 percent. This is why we are bringing you a series of regular blog posts, each focusing on a specific drug. It will cover the drug’s common names, effects and the important details parents should know.
Today’s post in our 411 Drug Series examines marijuana, which is just in time for “4/20” the unofficial worldwide day to smoke marijuana.
What is it and what does it look like?
Marijuana can be in the form of dried leaves that are crushed and rolled into a "joint" and smoked, brewed into tea or mixed into food.
Other street names?
· Weed
· Reefer
· Dope
· Aunt Mary
· Sinsemilla
· Gangster
· Herb
· Pot
· Grass
· Mary Jane
· 420
· Chronic
· Ganja
· Kif
· Green
· Bud
What are the short and long-term effects?
· Bloodshot eyes
· Dry mouth, throat
· Reduced ability in concentration, coordination
· Impairments in learning, memory, perception, judgment
· Intense anxiety, panic attacks
· Difficulty in speaking, thinking, retaining knowledge, problem-solving, forming concepts
What every parent should know:
Marijuana strength has increased by 2 to 7 times since the 1970s, as measured by levels of THC, the mind-altering chemical in marijuana. Negative effects on attention, memory and learning can range from days or weeks to permanent. Frequent use by teens can result in an IQ drop of up to eight points.
DrugFreeAZKids.org’s mission is to provide parents with the information they need to educate their kids about dangerous substances. In addition to this blog series, we offer other valuable tools, such as webinars help parents raise healthy, drug-free children. Be sure to register for our upcoming webinar on April 22 on prom & graduation underage drinking.
To learn more about how to prevent drug and alcohol use by teens, visit DrugFreeAZKids.org.
