Current Trends & Impact Studies

Indicator #1: Youth-Perception of Risk (graphic used)
As perception of risk increases, rates of use tend to decrease, and vice versa. After 8th grade, perception of risk for smoking marijuana occasionally, having 1-2 drinks of alcohol occasionally, and binge drinking decreased each year for the next four grades.

Indicator #3: Adults – Perception of Acceptable Age for Youth to Start Drinking (graphic used)
Adults are a major influence on a youth’s decision to use, and adults are often the supplier of alcohol. Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol-dependent than those who begin drinking at 21.

Indicator #5 YOUTH – SELF-REPORTED SOURCES OF OTHER DRUGS (graphic used)
Between 1991 and 2010, prescriptions for stimulants increased from 5 million to 45 million, a 9-fold increase, and opioid analgesics increased from about 30 million to 180 million, a 6-fold increase. Nationally and locally, the majority of young people (8 out of 10) get prescription drugs from friends or relatives by stealing, buying or simply asking for them.

Indicator #11 PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAMS (graphic used)
Prescription drug abuse is often characterized as the nation’s fastest growing drug problem. As with alcohol, availability of prescription drugs is a major contributing factor to use. Commonly abused prescription drugs include pain relievers (e.g., Hydrocodone, Vicodin, or Percocet), stimulants (e.g., Ritalin or Adderall), benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium, or Klonopin) and sleep medications (e.g., Ambien or Lunesta).

Indicator #15 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT ADMISSIONS RELATED TO SUBSTANCE USE (graphic used)
In 2010, there were 3,514 admissions to emergency departments throughout Mecklenburg County with a primary diagnosis related to substance abuse, or nearly 10 visits every day. There were 9,688 visits to emergency departments in 2010 where substance abuse was either the primary diagnosis or any one of the contributing factors.

EVENTS/NEWS

Legalization of Marijuana
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/meck-county-rep-presses-legalization-medical-marij/nkT2g/

Heroin Deaths in North Carolina
http://wunc.org/post/heroin-deaths-rising-north-carolina-us

Synthetic Marijuana Use in North Carolina
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/special-reports/9-investigates-addictive-synthetic-marijuana-back-/nkDcG/