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Spilyqy Tymoo, Wrm Springs, Oregon
November 24, 2005
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The high school years are some of die most important
in your son's or daughter's life. This is the time
when poor academic performance can compromise
a teen's future because low grades and test scores
limit options after graduation. As teens enter high
school they are at an increased risk for drug use and
drinking. While overall drug use among teens is down in
recent years, be sure your teen remains drug-free during
these critical learning years.
Marijuana can limit your teen's academic achievement.
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Marijuana can hinder a teen's ability to learn. Heavy marijuana use impairs young people's
ability to concentrate and retain infortnation.'
Marijuana use is linked to poorer grades. A teen with a "D" average is 4 times more likely
to have used marijuana than a teen with an "A" average.'
1 Some frequent, long-term marijuana' users show signs of lack of motivation (amotivational
syndrome). Lack of motivation or concern about the future can lead to poor performance
in school.
Marijuana and underage drinking are linked to higher dropout rates. Students who drink
or use drugs frequently are up to five times more likely than their peers to drop out of
high school' A teenage marijuana user's odds of dropping out are more than twice that
of a non-user.
Signed,
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Council on Education
American School Counselor Association
ASPIRA Association, Inc.
Balfour
Educational Testing Service
Hispanic Association of Colleges and
Universities
National Association for Asian and
Pacific American Education
National PTA
National Student Assistance Association
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Students Against Destructive Decisions
United Negro College Fund
United States Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce Foundation
Many parents still don't
understand that marijuana is
harmful. But research shows
it's a stronger drug than it used
to be and kids are starting to
experiment at younger ages.
Know the facts and share them
with your teen. The rules you
set and enforce today can make
all the difference in your teen's
life tomorrow.
PARENTS.
THE ANTI-DRUG.
www.TheAntiDrug.com
1.800.788.2800
Pope HG; Gruber AJ; Hudson Jl; Cohane G; Huestis MA; Migekn-Todd D. Earty-onset cannabis use and cognitive deficits: what is the nature of the
association? Drug and Alcohol Dependence, April 1; 69 (3): 303-310 (ISSN: 0376-8716), 2003. JThe NHSDA Report: Marijuana use among youths.
SAMHSA, 2002. Based on data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse 2000. -The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at
Columbia Urwersity (CASA). Malignant Neglect: Substance Abuse and America's Schools. New York: Columbia University, 2001 . 'Bray JW; Zarkn GA;
Ringwalt C; Qi J. The relationship between marijuana initiation and dropping out of school. Health Economics, January; 9 (1): 9-18, 2000.
Office of National Drug Control Policy
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