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• White House Drug Czar warns U.S. about "bath salts" craze

  A new drug craze called "bath salts" are slowly making their way into mainstream culture. This week, White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske warned people about taking the drug, which is often sold on the Internet and in paraphernalia shops, the Associated Press reports. more...

• Drug Free AZ releases list of potential drug use warning signs for parents

  In recent weeks Drug Free Arizona has released a list of signs that could help parents determine if their child is abusing drugs. The organization also suggests that parents ask their children outright if they have been using drugs or alcohol. Additionally, it suggests that parents consider getting a professional assessment of their child. more...

• Abuse of bath salts is becoming a dangerous new drug trend

  An alarming new trend is putting many teens in danger. In states across the U.S., people are snorting, smoking and injecting bath salts in order to get high. However, the chemicals in these products can lead to hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts, according to the Chicago Sun Times. more...

• School district partners with police to prevent teen drug use

  The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents. As a result, many school districts are implementing programs to prevent teen drug and alcohol use. more...

• Teen and adult weightlifters increasingly abusing HGH

  The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents. more...

• New study suggests female bully victims more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol

  A study by researchers from the University of Washington suggests that teen girls who are victims of bullying may be at a higher risk for substance abuse as a result of depression. The report, which is published in Prevention Science, surveyed 1,495 tenth grade students from across the country. more...

• High school teacher aims to curb teen drug use

  The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents. more...

• Increase in teen medical marijuana use may be result of legalization

  As medical marijuana becomes legal in many states throughout the U.S., some experts wonder what the impact will be on teen drug use. In an effort to find the answer, officials in Colorado are studying the effects of legalizing the drug on teen usage in the state, The White Mountain Independent reports. more...

• Parents try to raise awareness about the many faces of teen drug abuse

  In response to a growing teen drug use problem, one parent is trying to prove that all substance abusers do not look the same. My West Texas reports that Josie Alvarez - a parent in the Midland Independent School District - is hosting a forum on teen drug use prevention. more...

• Proposed bill may make synthetic marijuana illegal in Indiana

  Synthetic marijuana, which is also known as spice, could be illegal in some states within the next few months. This week, the Senate's Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters Committee voted unanimously to support a bill that could potentially make the substance illegal in Indiana, the Indy Star reports. more...

• Oregon facing critical prescription drug abuse issues

  According to a study done by the National Center On Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, between 1993 to 2005, teen usage of prescription drugs increased by 93 percent. In some states, the number of teens who are abusing these substances has become an issue of significant proportions. more...

• Texas county faces growing heroin problem among teens

  According to the Greater Dallas Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the number of heroin addicts seeking treatment in Dallas County has nearly doubled, many of whom are teenagers. The number of teens who have received treatment for this addiction in the county has increased from 33 in 2005 to 215 in 2010, news channel KDAF reports. more...

• TV personality Dr. Drew Pinsky joins drug abuse prevention campaign

  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five high school students has taken a prescription drug that was not prescribed for them by a doctor. In addition, 2,500 young people use a prescription pain reliever to get high for the first time every day. more...

• Teen discusses former addiction with peers

  Although recent trends in youth drug use have shown the first significant downturn, they remain at high levels, the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports. In an effort to prevent teens from trying and potentially becoming addicted to drugs, a number of communities are hosting youth outreach programs. more...

• Teens win GRAMMYs for anti-drug songs

  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of Health (NIH) partnered with MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation to honor teen musicians during National Drug Facts Week. more...

• High school creates drug tip texting program

  According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, prescription abuse by teens exceeds marijuana use, and there are as many new abusers - age 12 and older - of pain relievers as there are for marijuana. As a result, a growing number of parents, law enforcement officials and school districts are seeking to curtail drug use. more...

• Government program declares National Drug Facts Week

  According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, teens abuse prescription medications more than all illegal drugs combined, with the exception of marijuana. Many teens are under the misconception that these highly addictive and often easily accessible medications are safer than illicit drugs. more...

• Survey of local high school students reveals rise in prescription drug use

  A survey of alcohol and drug use among Sumner County students in Tennessee reveals that binge drinking and the use of prescription drugs are on the rise, according to the school system's annual student report. The survey was commissioned by the Sumner County Anti-Drug Coalition, which is a group of local leaders in education and health who hope to use the results to track the performance of programs that are aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among teens, the Tennessean reports. more...

• Community bans sale of synthetic marijuana

  A small county in Indiana recently banned the sale of synthetic marijuana within the community. As lawmakers consider legislation to possibly forbid the use of such substances, including K2 and Spice, county officials felt it was best to get a head start, The Brazil Times reports. more...

• Community seeks to end teen drug abuse

  This week, a small town is Connecticut is holding a meeting to bring awareness to prescription drug abuse, which is the leading cause of death for teens in the state. more...

• Pennsylvania transit authority making efforts to curtail DUIs

  In an effort to prevent motorists from driving while under the influence of prescription and over-the-counter medication, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police are launching a campaign. PennDOT will work with state and municipal police departments throughout the week before Halloween to step up impaired-driving enforcement, with increased emphasis on driving under the influence of drugs. more...

• Study shows teens unlikely to admit illegal substance abuse, even before drug test

  New research by Wayne State University and Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit shows that teens may deny drug use, even in the face of an impending positive drug test. more...

• Long Island parents, police and school officials seek to curb teen drug use

  Each month, parents of Long Island teenagers meet for Drug Free Massapequa meetings. The initiative is designed to curtail the number of teen overdoses and fatalities that are related to recreational drug use. more...

• Survey shows increase in teen marijuana use

  According to data collected by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more kids and teens are smoking marijuana at younger ages. more...

• National survey reveals teen drug abuse on the rise

  In a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), increases in teen drug use of prescription medications and marijuana show that there is a great need for parent involvement. more...