Substance abuse prevention

Facts About Illegal Drugs

2006-2007 SALT Survey Students Report
Past Thirty-Day Use of Illegal Drugs

Please note that figures for South Kingstown, Narragansett, and Chariho are from the 2006-2007 SALT for each school. State of Rhode Island figures have not been updated from the 2005-2006 SALT and will be updated upon their release.

Illegal Drug Use Among Teens

• “Marijuana is not a benign drug. Use impairs learning and judgment, and may lead to the development of mental health problems.” - American Medical Association
• “Smoking marijuana can injure or destroy lung tissue. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70% more of some cancer causing chemicals than does tobacco smoke.” -American Lung Association
• “Teens who are high on marijuana are less able to make safe, smart decisions about sex – including saying no. Teens who have used marijuana are four times more likely to have been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant than teens who haven’t.” - National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• “Marijuana can impair perception and reaction time, putting young drivers, their passengers and others on the road in danger. Teens, the highest risk driving population, should avoid anything that might impair their ability to operate a vehicle safely.” - American Automobile Association
• “Marijuana use may trigger panic attacks, paranoia, and even psychoses, especially if you are suffering from anxiety, depression or having thinking problems.” - American Psychiatric Association
• “Marijuana can impair concentration and the ability to retain information during a teen’s peak learning years.”