Roachclip
New Member
A new report shows the admission rates for marijuana treatment increased nationally by 162 percent and by more than 200 percent in North Dakota over the last decade.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reported the admission rates for marijuana treatment tripled between 1992 and 2002. Admission rates were calculated per 100,000 people age 12 and older in a state.
In 1992, North Dakota had fewer than 50 admissions per 100,000 people age 12 or older. In 1997, admissions increased in range from 50 to 86 per year, and by 2002, the range was 87 to 138 per year. In 2002, only six states had fewer than 50 admissions and 21 states had rates of 139 or more.
Don Wright, assistant director at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of the Department of Human Services, said there has been a shift in the drug of choice from alcohol to marijuana. The drug is easily accessible and kids and adults have a low perception of the risks involved.
"Lots of people don't think about the harm in smoking pot because they think they smoked pot in high school and they turned out OK, so it is fine," Wright said. "But they don't think about those that didn't turn out OK. Drinking is different and smoking pot is different than it used to be. Now more people are drinking to get drunk and smoking to get high."
Wright also said marijuana is more potent today than it was years ago. High-quality drugs are easier to get and many users prefer smoking pot rather than drinking because of the aftereffects. However, alcohol is probably still the No. 1 drug of kids in treatment.
In North Dakota, the largest increase of new users has come in ages 12 to 17. More users are at an older age, but the number of older new users is stabilizing.
"It's tough being a kid these days. The general public is forgetting about marijuana and alcohol abuse because of meth abuse and other problems, but marijuana and alcohol are still the No. 1 problem for kids," Wright said.
"We are going to have to take a serious look at community norms and values, because this is not acceptable," Wright said. "We might think that it could be worse, but it is bad enough. We are losing kids. Change is going to have to start with parents and adults. They have to look at what they do as adults to be better role models."
Bismarck Tribune
https://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2005/03/09/news/local/nws03.txt
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reported the admission rates for marijuana treatment tripled between 1992 and 2002. Admission rates were calculated per 100,000 people age 12 and older in a state.
In 1992, North Dakota had fewer than 50 admissions per 100,000 people age 12 or older. In 1997, admissions increased in range from 50 to 86 per year, and by 2002, the range was 87 to 138 per year. In 2002, only six states had fewer than 50 admissions and 21 states had rates of 139 or more.
Don Wright, assistant director at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of the Department of Human Services, said there has been a shift in the drug of choice from alcohol to marijuana. The drug is easily accessible and kids and adults have a low perception of the risks involved.
"Lots of people don't think about the harm in smoking pot because they think they smoked pot in high school and they turned out OK, so it is fine," Wright said. "But they don't think about those that didn't turn out OK. Drinking is different and smoking pot is different than it used to be. Now more people are drinking to get drunk and smoking to get high."
Wright also said marijuana is more potent today than it was years ago. High-quality drugs are easier to get and many users prefer smoking pot rather than drinking because of the aftereffects. However, alcohol is probably still the No. 1 drug of kids in treatment.
In North Dakota, the largest increase of new users has come in ages 12 to 17. More users are at an older age, but the number of older new users is stabilizing.
"It's tough being a kid these days. The general public is forgetting about marijuana and alcohol abuse because of meth abuse and other problems, but marijuana and alcohol are still the No. 1 problem for kids," Wright said.
"We are going to have to take a serious look at community norms and values, because this is not acceptable," Wright said. "We might think that it could be worse, but it is bad enough. We are losing kids. Change is going to have to start with parents and adults. They have to look at what they do as adults to be better role models."
Bismarck Tribune
https://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2005/03/09/news/local/nws03.txt
