The 2012 Monitoring the Future study has shown that teenager’s perception of marijuana as harmful is decreasing. Of significant concern is one fact in the study showing that only 44% of 12th graders thought regular use of marijuana was harmful. So they don’t think marijuana is harmful? Why is that a concern? The concern is the direct correlation between perception and drug use. As the perception of harm from a substance decreases, the use rate of that substance increases. Ask yourself this: if you did not think something was harmful would you be more likely to try it? Use it regularly? Experts are concerned this recent decrease in perception of risk will lead to more teens using marijuana. Given the many health risks associated with teens and marijuana use we should all be concerned about this trend.
Link Together – Supporting Drug and Alcohol Free Youth
