Parent discussion on drug abuse and addiction with Dr. Volkow NIDA

Dr. Volkow talks to parents in Harlem about the dangers of drug abuse and addiction, how to talk to kids about drugs and how to recognize if a kid is taking drugs. She also addresses the dangers of prescription drug abuse and marijuana.
http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drnida/drug_abuse_teens_video.php

Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy: http://www.newmedia.hhs.gov/comment_policy.html

Category:

Education

Tags:

• marijuana addiction
• truth about drugs
• facts on drugs
• drug abuse risks
• drug perception
• illicit substance
• drug addiction
• drug abuse
• dr. Volkow

[Jartny]

You people are LYING! Marijuana does not cause any kind of physical damage, nor does it have any rate of addiction. It is impossible to be addicted to it cause it is not an addictive substance. You are Lying to these people. Shame on you! Cannabis is a harmless relaxant that is used for many medicinal uses, and is recommended for many things, such as depression, arthritis, nerve pain, cancer, and many many more things.

[NIDANIH]

@Jartny @jartney, It’s not so black and white as that. Yes, THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, does have medical uses that continue to be explored and to help people in pain, for example, or those who have lost their appetites from disease. However, marijuana can be abused and lead to addiction in SOME people—depending on many variables, like when they start, how much they smoke, stress and other ‘environmental’ factors, and even their genes.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@NIDANIH Some of the most dangerous drugs are legal medications prescribed by physicians.  While it is predictable a percentage of any population can become addictive, how do you quantify the percentage and qualitatively determine addiction. The brain at the molecular level is constantly remodeling itself. Gross over generalizations. Effects are dosage dependent as well as dependent on the removal from the body through activation of cytochrome oxidases.

[NIDANIH]

@chroniclerofthe70s You make some good points about substance abuse being a complex issue. Not only do drug effects—including those from prescribed controlled medications—vary with the type, amount and quality of the substance (or substances), but each person reacts differently based on multiple risk and protective factors such as age, genetics, environment, etc. So you never know when you abuse a drug—sometimes it leads to addiction, and sometimes it doesn’t.

[NIDANIH]

@Jartny Chronic marijuana use can lead to addiction: about 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it. This number goes up to about 1 in 6 in those who start using in their teenage years and even higher, to 25 to 50 % among daily users.. And addiction brings with it a bunch of stuff people would not choose for themselves, including brains that are altered to crave the drug.

[NIDANIH]

@Jartny “Lying” is an emotional word to use when we’re simply trying to prevent drug abuse and the problems that come with it. That is our mission as a public health agency.

[CatsEyes1717]

Sounds like some of the folks here are in denial. I wonder where they get their info from, that pot is harmless. -It effects your lungs and cause cancer. - You have memory loss - You are effecting your brain neurons - Your eyes get bloodshot - You may become dependent and need it for coping - Yes, I have heard addicts say they never thought it would be the opened gate to other drugs, but it made them curious and weak.

[MrNormlguy]

sadly this is another case of making a blanket generalization about drugs to demonize cannabis. Although I agree children under 18 shouldn't ingest cannabis without a very specific prescription for a very serious issue, adults should be allowed to have a responsible amount for themselves. Let me tell you I do better with my homework when I get a little high. But I have never observed the same in teens.

[upsycotube]

Cannabis is a harmless relaxant that is used for many medicinal uses, and is recommended for many things, such as depression, arthritis, nerve pain, cancer, and many many more things.

you said it yourself "used for may medicinal uses", dont smoke weed if you have lung cancer lol! dont abuse of anything, drug, alcohol, energie drink XD

[schoolbrat]

People that make me saaaaaaaay w0w!!!!!!