Dear Parents,
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that in 2023, 10.9% of eighth grade students reported using drugs 19.8%; of 10th graders reported using drugs; and 31.2 % of 12 graders reported drug use.
The University of California, Los Angeles reported that an average of twenty-two adolescents, fourteen to eighteen years old, died every week in the U.S. in 2022. The report indicated that the numbers had risen due to fentanyl.
Drug use among teens generally starts with alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana. Drug addiction can lead to poor grades, memory issues, attention deficits, low self-esteem, and poor social skills. The effects of drugs on mental health include depression; personality disorders; behavior problems; and suicidal thoughts, attempts, and suicide.
It is important to be aware of early signs of behavior problems that can lead to drug use in the future. Uncontrollable anger, defiance of authority, refusal to follow rules, lack of accepting responsibility for actions, and display of vindictive behaviors.
More information is available on the following sites:
DEA.gov Drug Enforcement Agency
Nida.nih.gov National Institute on Drug Abuse/
Sincerely,
The S.A.R.A. Staff
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