Marijuana Use Risk

Teens of driving age are at an increased risk for marijuana use. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, at age 16, when most teens get their driver’s licenses, their risk for using marijuana on a monthly basis increases by two-thirds from the previous year. And a recent study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol found that teens are more likely to drink, smoke cigarettes, and smoke marijuana during the period immediately after earning their driver’s licenses.

Greater parent involvement, clear rules, and parental supervision are associated with less risky teen behavior, such as marijuana use and driving while high or under the influence of alcohol. According to the SADD/Liberty Mutual Group Teens Today 2004 report, almost six out of 10 (59%) teens who drive say their parents have the most influence on their driving behavior, followed by 27% who say their friends are most influential. In addition, one in three high school students report they "want to" or "need to" spend more time with their parents.

To help your organization in disseminating the "Steer Clear of Pot" message in honor of National 3D Prevention Month, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is providing resources for parents and teens on their Web sites, www.TheAntiDrug.com  and www.Freevibe.com, respectively.

In addition to the seasonal activities your organization may already be planning regarding drinking and driving, adding the "Steer Clear of Pot" message can provide another approach. Simple ideas to promote the "Steer Clear of Pot" message in your existing outreach efforts include:

* Email listserv distribution: If your organization has an email listserv that reaches parents, youth caregivers, and/or other organizations, simply send a blast email alerting them to the "Steer Clear of Pot" resources by including a direct Web link to the Web page http://www.TheAntiDrug.com/steerclear or cutting-and-pasting the text from the page into your email. Information is also available for teens at the following Web page: http://www.Freevibe.com/drug_facts/steerclear.asp.

* Feature the "Steer Clear of Pot" resources in your organizational or employee newsletter: Simply download the PDF versions of the poster, postcard and glove box card and work with your newsletter editorial staff to feature them in an upcoming issue. You can also promote an online quiz for parents to test their child’s knowledge of the risks associated with marijuana use before they get behind the wheel. The PDF versions of the materials and the interactive quiz can be found at the following Web page: http://www.TheAntiDrug.com/steerclear.

* Marijuana Quiz for Parents — This will help parents separate fact from fiction and give them the information they need to educate themselves and their teens about the harms of marijuana: http://www.mediacampaign.org/marijuana/action_kit_files/10_Quiz_Adult.doc

* Anti-Drug Articles — These articles that can be used in both electronic and print format and provide various topics for parents about how to keep their kids drug-free: http://www.TheAntiDrug.com/atwork/article_list.asp