28 Jul Back to School: 5 trends to know about alcohol and drugs

As you get ready for back to school, remember that with a new year comes new chances for your child to get exposed to alcohol and drugs. As a parent, the best way to prepare yourself for potential questions and conversations is to equip yourself with the latest knowledge.

Here are 5 of the most recent findings about underage drinking and drugs:

1 IN 6 TEENS DRINK BEFORE AGE 13
About 1 in 6 teenagers drink alcohol before the age of 13, and roughly the same number of high school kids has binged on alcohol, according to the latest biannual Youth Risk Behavior Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS SEE 2-4 ALCOHOL ADS PER DAY
Kids ages 11 to 14 typically see two to four alcohol ads per day, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Most children are exposed to alcohol ads through billboards and signs outside stores and restaurants as well as through television.

MOST SENIORS DON’T VIEW MARIJUANA AS HARMFUL
Nearly 7 out of 10 high school seniors do not view regular marijuana smoking as harmful Per the Monitoring The Future 2015 Survey. This is an alarming amount considering that 17 percent of teenagers who use marijuana will become addicted according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

TEENS OFTEN RECEIVE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS
The majority of teenagers who abuse prescription opioids report getting them from friends or family members, according to the Monitoring The Future 2015 Survey.  Also, one-third report abusing their own prescriptions. This underscores the need to monitor and evaluate your kid’s prescription use.

1/3 OF COLLEGE STUDENTS BINGE DRINK AND 1 IN 5 HAVE USED AN ILLICIT DRUG
More than one-third of full-time college students aged 18 to 22 participated in binge drinking in the past month; about 1 in 5 used an illicit drug in the past month, according to a national survey from SAMHSA.

Remember to take this time before school starts to talk to your kids about the dangers of drinking and drugs. For tips on talking to your child, click here.