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National Survey Shows Parents'
Actions Contradict Their Beliefs Concerning Teen Marijuana Use
from the Hazelden
Foundation
(MINNEAPOLIS) - July 20, 1999 - Parents hold strong beliefs that
teens shouldn't use marijuana, but that message often gets muddled somewhere in the
communication from parent to teen. According to a national survey by the Hazelden
Foundation, the vast majority of parents (98 percent) would be upset if they discovered
their teens were using marijuana. However, less than half (40 percent) of parents advised
teens not to use and just one in five (20 percent) emphasized it's illegal during the most
recent dialog on the topic with their teens.
"Parents need to communicate a clear no-use message about marijuana use early and
often with their children," says Ariel White-Kovach, executive director for
Hazelden's Center for Youth & Families (HCYF). "Parents can take comfort in
knowing that their words are not falling on deaf ears; studies show the more teens hear
about the risks of marijuana and other drugs at home, the less likely they are to smoke
marijuana."
The survey also found that while 84 percent of parents believe marijuana can be addictive,
only one in five parents (19 percent) communicates that message with his/her teen.
"If parents believe marijuana is addictive, they should tell their kids that,"
says Carol Falkowski, a senior research analyst for Hazelden. "Marijuana creates
serious consequences -- about 100,000 people seek treatment for marijuana use each
year."
As part of Hazelden's effort to measure public opinion of important substance abuse issues
during the organization's 50th anniversary year, the survey asked parents about their
attitudes and practices related to teenage marijuana use and found that parents may also
underestimate the number of teens smoking pot.
According to the most recent figures from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, half of
all teenagers try marijuana before they graduate high school; yet, according to the
Hazelden poll, three-quarters of parents (74 percent) believe their teen has never smoked
marijuana. Just 7 percent of those polled say they know their teen has smoked marijuana, 6
percent suspect their teen has smoked marijuana and 12 percent don't know.
Marijuana use among teens has climbed significantly this decade, and references to its use
are pervasive in pop culture. Marijuana is by far the most frequently mentioned/depicted
illicit drug in teens' favorite movies and songs, according to a recent study for the
Office of National Drug Control Policy. And while the phrase "don't drink and
drive" is oft repeated, that same message virtually disappears where marijuana is
concerned. Only one parent in the Hazelden survey has communicated a "don't drive if
you're high" message to his teen.
"Marijuana use creates serious consequences for kids," says Falkowski. "In
some cities like Minneapolis, treatment admissions for marijuana outnumber admissions for
cocaine, and half of the patients are under the age of 18."
Not Their Parents' Marijuana
Of the parents surveyed, 41 percent have smoked marijuana themselves at some point. These
parents are more likely to believe today's marijuana is stronger than that of previous
generations (52 percent) vs. parents who have never smoked marijuana (31 percent),
although they were less likely to think it's addictive. Parents who have smoked marijuana
themselves were also more likely to talk with their kids about marijuana (94 percent) vs.
parents who had not smoked marijuana (82 percent).
"The potency of marijuana today is greater than it was in the 1970s, and increased
potency means increased addiction potential," states White-Kovach. "The
implications for a teen's growing body are long-term and dangerous."
Marijuana, like cigarettes, contains many carcinogens. In addition, the active component
of marijuana -- THC -- causes impairment of short-term memory, learning and coordination.
What Should Parents Do?
The Hazelden poll found that while most parents (86 percent) have talked with their teen
about marijuana, just over half of parents (55 percent) have made their teen aware of
disciplinary consequences stemming from marijuana use. Revoking privileges was the most
commonly cited consequence (61 percent), followed by grounding (58 percent), forbidding
interaction with certain friends (56 percent), and sending their teen to counseling (51
percent).
"It's crucial for parents to stay on top of and understand what's happening in their
sons' and daughters' lives," says White-Kovach. "When teens make a poor
decision, such as using marijuana, it's critical that parents immediately show concern via
an open dialog and follow through with consequences.
"If parents become overwhelmed with their teens' behavior and/or concerned about drug
use, they should seek help from experts. There are many resources available for
parents."
Other Survey Findings
- The younger the teen, the more recently his/her parents have broached
the topic of marijuana. On average, parents of 13, 14 and 15 year olds had discussed it
just over three months earlier; parents of 16 year olds discussed it nearly four months
earlier; parents of 17 year olds discussed it just over four months earlier; and parents
of 18 year olds discussed it just over six months previously.
- 14 percent of parents haven't talked with their teens about
marijuana.
- Younger parents are more likely to talk with their teenage sons and
daughters about marijuana.
- 92 percent of parents under the age of 40 have discussed marijuana
vs. 88 percent of parents aged 40 - 49, and 77 percent of parents aged 50 and over.
Help for Parents
To help parents better communicate with their teens about this issue, Hazelden has posted
a free brochure, Talking with Kids About Alcohol and Drugs on its website at
www.hazelden.org. Hard copies of the brochure can be obtained by calling 1-800-I-DO-CARE.
About
Hazelden
The Hazelden Foundation is an internationally
recognized nonprofit organization providing treatment, education, prevention and
professional services in chemical dependency and related addictive disorders. Hazelden has
been helping people recover from the disease of alcohol and drug dependency since 1949.
Recognized throughout the world as a leader and often a role model for other treatment
centers, Hazelden offers individualized information, education and clinical services
throughout the recovery process. Hazelden tailors specific recovery programs for men,
women, adolescents, young adults and older adults at its regional sites in Minnesota, West
Palm Beach, Fla., New York and Chicago. Hazelden offers treatment services for youth at
the Hazelden Center for Youth and Families (HCYF) in Plymouth, Minn. During 1998, more
than 700 youth benefited from HCYF programs and services.
About the Survey
This telephone survey, conducted for Hazelden by Bruskin Goldring, polled a nationally
representative sample of 505 adults with children ages 13 - 18. The margin of error is
plus or minus 4.5 percent. For more information about the details of the Hazelden survey
results, contact Jeff Moravec at 651-213-4228 or Heidi Weaver at 612-841-6288.
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