The Truth About Marijuana

Other Red Flags for Parents of Teens

When talking to your son or daughter about risky behaviors, include:

Methamphetamine — Use of this highly addictive stimulant drug is spreading eastward across the United States. “Meth” is made from commonly available chemicals, and an illegal meth lab—the first in our area—was uncovered recently in Lehighton. Meth can be smoked, swallowed, snorted or injected. Users are hyper-alert and active, and experience a pleasurable “rush” or euphoria. But long-term, meth can cause strokes, irregular heartbeat, extreme anorexia and eventually, death.

Prescription painkillers — Abuse of opioid pain medications like OxyContin and Vicodin is a growing problem among teens nationally. Opioids can produce a sense of euphoria, especially when taken in nonprescribed ways (such as snorting or injecting), but this raises the risk for a deadly overdose. In a new and troubling trend, teens ingest a mixture of prescription drugs, unaware of the possibility of severe interactions.

The “choking game” — In this recurring fad, adolescents—mainly 9- to 15-year-olds—choke themselves or each other to produce a kind of high. Also called the “fainting” or “tingling” game, the practice can cause nausea, disorientation, loss of motor control, and eventually suffocation. Warning signs are marks around the neck, bloodshot eyes and frequent headaches.