Marijuana-Free: Navigating the Teen Years
Introduction
Marijuana-free: Navigating the Teen Years is one outcome of more than 18 months of work for the members of the Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (SAPC), and particularly the work of the Marijuana Fact Sheet Committee. After concerns arose about the national increase in the use of marijuana by tweens and teens due to reduction in the perception of the harm marijuana can cause, the SAPC studied the issues surrounding marijuana use by teens.
Think Pot’s No Problem? Think Again!, a fact sheet for teens—developed both by local teens and adults—was released in 2012. Dispelling myths such as “Pot is less harmful than alcohol,” “Marijuana is not addictive,” and “If doctors can prescribe marijuana it must be good for you,” the teen fact sheet went home in the form of a bookmark in summer reading packets of every student in grades 7 through 11 in the tri-town area. Now in May, 2013, this flash drive, Marijuana-Free: Navigating the Teen Years, is being released as the “marijuana fact sheet for parents.”
Background
In 2011, Connecticut’s State Legislature decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. In 2012, Connecticut joined 17 other states to pass a law in favor of medical marijuana. Also in 2012, two states, Colorado and Washington, legalized the recreational use of marijuana for individuals over the age of 21. While it may seem that “the writing is on the wall,” i.e., one can foresee a future where the legalization of recreational use of marijuana will be under discussion in Connecticut as well, the SAPC seeks to protect youth and families from the risks—higher even than previously understood—of smoking of marijuana by children and youth under age 21.
Why 21?
A picture’s worth a thousand words, and new brain imaging technologies (e.g., functional MRIs or SPECT Scans) can now create images of how the human brain’s functioning is affected by the use of substances like alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, etc. What ishighly alarming is not just the extent to which regular (1 time or more per week) and persistent use of marijuana that begins in adolescence damages the brain, but also, that the teen brain is especially vulnerable and the damage begun during adolescencemay be irreversible.
Key brain development takes place during adolescence. While teens’ emotional depth (located in the brain’s limbic system) is highly developed, the frontal lobe, which functions to control impulses and to take a reasoned approach, is barely developed.Parent and other healthy adult input, guidance, boundary setting, and role modeling serves to support teen frontal lobe development. In fact, to grow an efficient frontal lobe, adolescents need the infusion of lots of developmental resources or assets. These assetsconsist not only of parental but also of school and community supports, good role models of every age and opportunities to discover and connect with others to achieve their own unique hopes and dreams.
The teen brain is a “use it or lose it” proposition. It requires lived experience to develop and thrive. Use it or lose it means that the connections in the brain a teen exercises most frequently and with the greatest interest will be retained and available throughout adulthood. Alternately, brain connections that are used rarely or not at all will be eliminated.
Tasks and activities that build strong brain connections include learning new social competencies, interacting with positive adults and peers, engagement in school and community activities, holding a positive outlook for the future, testing out strategies for achieving goals and numerous other milestones that lead toward adulthood. Identifying and pursuing one’s own personal passions primes the brain toward achievement. If marijuana is prevalent, achievement will take a back seat. Marijuana primes the brain for choosing drugs over other strategies.
This flash drive is intended to help you help your adolescent proceed safely and marijuana-free through the teen years. Supports include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Decriminalization, Medicalization and Legalization
Tweens and Teens: What You Don’t Know About the Teen Brain Can Hurt Them
Communication: How to Talk About Issues of Concern
A communication model which ensures your child knows you care about him or her before getting into the minutia. You may think, “of course he or she knows I care!” But under stress, everyone benefits from reassurance. “How to Talk About Issues of Concern” is intended to help you to navigate some of the most challenging conversations you and your teen will have.
Coping Skills:The 40 Developmental Assets
“Developmental assets” are the people, places, things, opportunities and experiences that research shows dramatically increase the likelihood that our children will grow up healthy and happy. For some of us, the 40 Developmental Assets provide the parenting manual we’ve always wanted. For others, concentrating on a single asset or two until it becomes second nature before moving on to the next may increase comfort with resources we ourselves didn’t have. Asset # 14, Adult Role Models, for instance, allows us to see ourselves as even more impactful in our kids’ lives when we are intentional about role modeling. For more information about how Tri-Town Youth Services works to build the 40 Developmental Assets in Chester, Deep River and Essex (and how you can become involved!), see or call 860.526.3600.
Peer Pressure: A Call to Action
Stacy Cutler grew up in the tri-town community, became a behavioral health professional and now is raising a teen of her own in Deep River.
Resources: Where to Get Help
Includeslocal, regional, national and internet resources for families who think their youth may be curious about, experimenting with or using marijuana.
For more information about Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, Inc., the SAPC, or other services, please contact us at 860-526-3600 or .