Editorial | Not my kid?
With schools out for spring break next week, Drug Free Lee will host a series of online presentations for kids and parents.
The daily Zoom sessions will be presented at 2 p.m. from March 17-20 with information on how to take part available at DrugFreeLee.org.
Thinking “not my kid?”
We hope not, and we hope not our kids or grandchildren, either.
But the numbers say that if not them, then your neighbor’s child, a family member or friends and classmates your child knows because drug use is prevalent.
And exposure starts young.
Think we are fearmongering?
We will let the numbers speak for themselves.
According to the National Center for Drug Use statistics:
2.08 million or 8.33% of 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide report using drugs in the last month.
Among them, 83.88% report using marijuana in the last month.
591,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old used an illicit drug other than marijuana in the last month.
8.7% of eighth graders have used illicit drugs in the last month.
21.3% of eighth graders have tried illicit drugs at least once.
By the time they’re in 12th grade, 46.6% of teens have tried illicit drugs.
11.89 million 18- to 25-year-olds used drugs in the last month.
Overdose deaths due to opioids have increased 500% among 15- to 24-year-olds since 1999.
11.2% of overdose deaths are aged 15 to 24 years.
4,777 Americans aged 15 to 24 years old died of an overdose of illicit drugs in one year.
The most used, and abused drug?
Alcohol.
Also from the National Center for Drug Use statistics:
Alcohol is by far the most commonly abused substance among teens and young adults.
1.19 million 12- to 17-year-olds report binge drinking in the last month.
11.72 million 18- to 25-year-olds report binge drinking in the last month.
7.10 million 12- to 20-year-olds report drinking in the last month.
Among them, 60.2% report binge drinking during that period.
25.6% of eighth graders have abused alcohol at least once.
61.5% of teens have abused alcohol by 12th grade.
9.15% of all 12- to 17-year-olds used alcohol in the last month.
2.7% of 12th graders drink daily.
16.8% of 12th graders have 5+ drinks in a row when consuming alcohol.
0.4% of eighth graders drink daily; by 10th grade, 1.0% drink daily.
407,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 years old met the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the last year.
Drug Free Lee’s Zoom presentations next week include:
• March 17: Current Trends in Drugs of Abuse and Paraphernalia – Captain Allan Kolak, Cape Coral Police Department
• March 18: Fentanyl – A Continuing Threat – Heidi Webb, Kimmie’s Recovery Zone
• March 19: Marijuana – The Tip of the Iceberg – Ellen Snelling, Prevention Activist and Board Member of the Hillsborough Anti-Drug Alliance
• March 20: What’s Going On Under the Bleachers – Samuel Laguerre, Lutheran Services Floridas Program Director of the Year
Drug Free Lee Executive Director Deborah Comella said all of the presenters are experts. She also said the sessions are intended to provide an opportunity for not only information but open, nonconfrontational conversation.
We thank them, and the presenters who are volunteering, for their time and effort.
We, as parents, grandparents and community members all, have a common goal.
That one day, some day, it be “not anyone’s kid.”
And that there be few statistics to report.
Opportunities like these for parents and children are a step in that direction.
Breeze editorial