Marijuana use among students rose after the District of Columbia decriminalized pot in 2014 and legalized it for ages 21 and over in 2015. Now we have some statistics about middle schools and high schools. After troubling information came out about increased usage, The Blunt Truth campaign launched as an underage prevention initiative.
In Ward 7, for example, there was a three-fold increase in 30-day use of marijuana among surveyed middle school students from 2013 to 2015, from 2.5% to 7.8%. For high school students surveyed, there was a 28% increase from 2013 to 2015, from 24% to 30.7%. Parental acceptance of the drug use was 15% in 2013, but grew to 32% in 2015. Continue reading Student pot use rises at DC middle, high schools→
Legalization legitimizes pot for adults, which of course makes the children believe there are no negative consequences.
The Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Traffic (HIDTA) report provided statistical information. The report also had some anecdotal reports from the schools. In August, 2015, high school guidance counselors answered survey questions about by how marijuana legalization in Colorado affected the schools. According to the survey 51% of the respondents said that the most prominent marijuana violation is “students being under the influence of marijuana during school hours.” Continue reading Legalizing Marijuana Creates Challenges for Youth→
Over the past three years of my high school career, I have observed teen drug use and the increasing desire of my peers to take unhealthy risks for the sole purpose of partying and gaining “life experience.” I remember a point in my life where I was beyond shocked to hear of someone I knew doing pot. But, at this point I have become somewhat desensitized, because I am now aware of the sad reality, which is that everyone does it.