Although nicotine and alcohol are by all means legal in the United States studies have found that the use of such substances leads to a greater risk of trying illicit drugs. There is a theory that states that nicotine, alcohol and marijuana are gateway drugs that lead to the use of what are considered hard core drugs.
There is a debate even among the scientific community about whether or not the use of these substances actually constitutes a "gateway" to further drug use. However, there are statistics that clarify the role these behaviors play in teens and what drugs they will go on to use.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University states that teens ages 12 to 17 that smoke tobacco, drink alcohol or do marijuana during this age group are 17 times more likely to use harder substances (illicit illegal drugs).
A University of Pittsburgh study shows that marijuana is not necessarily a gateway drug. In fact the findings of the University show that what our government has recommended for drug prevention may not really be helping at all.
So how then do parents know what to do to help their teens and younger children stay away from drugs rather than deal with rehabilitation after the fact? One key factor is to talk straight to your kids. Don't water it down, don't skirt around the issue of drug and alcohol abuse. Be up front and very direct. It helps if you give facts. NIDA has a website just to help parents, teens and teachers with information on the science behind drug and alcohol addiction and they share real stories of what has become of some people. This is a huge eye opener for kids, they respond to things that are matter of fact and unemotional. They need to know that they are cared about but you also need to appeal to their logical side. Presenting facts is just the way to do this.
The bottom line is that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure! If you or someone you need has a drug problem please seek out a drug rehabilitation center as soon as possible.
