What drugs do teens abuse?
Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. Legally available drugs include alcohol, prescribed medications, inhalants (fumes from glues, aerosols, and solvents) and over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications. The most commonly used illegal drugs are marijuana (pot), stimulants (cocaine, meth, and speed), LSD, PCP, opiates, heroin, and designer drugs (Ecstasy). Experimentation with illegal drugs is more common than most parents realize, especially among young teens. The average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12. The use of marijuana and alcohol in high school has become common. What are the warning signs of abuse? Parents can use these early warning signs of developing problems: Paraphernalia: You find evidence of alcohol or drugs, liquor bottles, beer cans, marijuana, a pipe, etc. Physical: Your teen says they are too tired to do things, repeatedly have health complaints, sometimes have red or glazed eyes, a lastin
