Latest Blog Post by Per Wickstrom Provides Reality Check for Parents on Teens & Drug Abuse
(PRWEB) January 14, 2015 -- Parents who may think that the biggest threats facing their teenage children are violent movies and video games, or the occasional beer at a friend’s party, should stop what they’re doing and immediately head to http://www.perwickstrom.com/advice/reality-check-for-parents-trends-in-teen-drug-abuse-today/ to read Per Wickstrom's new blog, which offers a “reality check” on what is really happening with hundreds of thousands of teens across the country.
“As adults, we easily forget that teenagers are under an overwhelming amount of pressure to fit in, and cope with difficult feelings and intense emotions,” commented Per Wickstrom. “And when you combine with the fact that all kinds of drugs and especially alcohol are widely available, the shocking thing isn’t that many teens today are heading down a dangerous path towards substance abuse and addiction. No, the shocking thing frankly is that parents don’t know what’s going on, and so they can’t be part of the solution.”
According to statistics published by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
• There are an estimated 855,000 youths aged 12-17 who have what is considered to be a serious alcohol problem.
• An estimated 7% of 8th grade students across the country have tried marijuana in the last month.
• An estimated 6.5% of 12th graders smoke marijuana daily, and 22% have tried it in the last month.
• In the first half of 2014, New York State reported a 200% increase in reported usage of synthetic marijuana.
• Nearly 2000 teens died in 2011 from overdosing on prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
• Between 1999 and 2010, there was a 300% increase in the number of youth deaths related to overdosing on a combination of opioids and alcohol.
“Without question, the most vital step in dealing with the teen substance abuse epidemic is preventative education,” added Per Wickstrom. “Parents must play a role in this education process, and one of the best places they can start is by contacting a local certified and accredited rehabilitation facility, and asking for resources, support material, and connections to community services.”
For additional information or media inquiries, contact Amber Howe, Executive Director BDR, at (231) 887-4590 or ahowe(at)rehabadmin(dot)com.
About Per Wickstrom
Per Wickstrom is the President and Founder of Best Drug Rehabilitation, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center focused on helping individuals through holistic and natural methods. Per believes that it's never too late to turn your life around and do something positive with your life - he is living proof that hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude can overcome any negative situation.
Per Wickstrom, Per Wickstrom, http://www.perwickstrom.com, +1 (231) 887-4590, [email protected]
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