Adolescents are increasingly opting for marijuana use over alcohol consumption.
New and Improved:
Cannabis: A Dangerous Trend Among Icelandic Teens
In the quiet land of Iceland, a concerning trend has emerged amongst the nation's youth. According to Runa Agustsdottir, a seasoned drug and alcohol counselor at Foreldrahus, cannabis is now the first drug many adolescents try-often before alcohol.
"They're smoking weed left, right, and center," Agustsdottir stated in a recent conversation, emphasizing the prevalence of marijuana use among youngsters, who often underestimate its harmful effects. "A lot of folks don't even see weed as a drug," she added, sharing insights from her over four decades of experience. "But I've seen how sick it can make people."
Agustsdottir primarily works with minors and their families, assisting them long before they're legally permitted to use any substances. She estimated that Foreldrahus assists close to 1,000 teenagers and families each year, mostly due to cannabis use.
Minimizing the Risks
Agustsdottir noted that parents frequently discount the risks of cannabis, considering it less harmful compared to substances like amphetamines. However, she underlines the fact that early use of marijuana can lead to addiction and developmental setbacks, particularly when use begins before the age of 16.
"A lot of folks don't realize how dangerous weed is for teenagers," she said. "Studies show the younger someone starts, the more likely they are to become addicted."
Despite this, Agustsdottir underscores that there is hope. Many teens who become dependent on cannabis are able to recover with early intervention, and most do not escalate to heavier drug use.
The Lost Years
Agustsdottir warns of what she terms "the lost years" – a crucial period (ages 14 to 18) where regular drug use can derail education, delay social development, and leave youth struggling to reintegrate with their peers.
"They may stop using eventually, but by then they've dropped out of school, fallen behind socially, and missed out on important life experiences."
She emphasizes the importance of increased awareness and involvement from parents and schools, particularly in early detection and intervention to prevent long-term harm.
Insights:
- Early cannabis use, particularly before age 16, increases the risk of addiction.
- Regular cannabis use during adolescence can cause developmental setbacks, affecting cognitive development, academic performance, and social integration.
- Mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis, can be exacerbated by cannabis use.
- Cannabis use is associated with various physical health issues like respiratory problems and cardiovascular risks.
- The Icelandic Prevention Model, focusing on structured prevention, strong parental involvement, and meaningful leisure activities, has been successful in reducing cannabis use amongst teens. However, the normalization of cannabis use could potentially undermine such efforts.
- Prevention strategies, like the Icelandic model, focus on providing alternative activities and support systems to deter youth from turning to substances like cannabis.
- The concerning trend in Iceland among teens involves cannabis, which is often their first drug, even before alcohol.
- According to Runa Agustsdottir, an experienced drug counselor at Foreldrahus, early cannabis use before the age of 16 can lead to addiction and developmental setbacks.
- Agustsdottir stated that while cannabis might seem less harmful than other substances, it can have severe impacts on mental health and overall health-and-wellness, especially for adolescents.
- Agustsdottir advised increased awareness and parental involvement, as well as early detection and intervention, to minimize the risks associated with cannabis use and its potential impact on a teen's mental and physical health, social development, and academic performance.
