LYNNFIELD — A Healthy Lynnfield (AHL) is doing its part to educate teens and parents about the harmful effects that marijuana has on young adults.
As a part of a continuing online video series, “Community Conversations with A Healthy Lynnfield,” AHL’s Drug Free Communities Program Coordinator Julie Greene and Riverside Community Care Program Director Ryan Rivard discussed the harmful effects in a recent segment entitled, “Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz.”
“Marijuana is one of the first drugs teenagers use,” said Greene. “Forty-one percent of users say they began before the age of 15. That’s why it’s important that your child inherently understands that you (the parent) do not approve of their use of marijuana the same way you don’t want them to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or use other drugs.
“The new marijuana landscape here in Massachusetts doesn’t change the fact that it is a mind-altering substance and harmful to the still-developing brain.”
Greene noted that many people downplay the dangers of marijuana use by teens because it is a plant and grows naturally, thinking it is not harmful.
“That’s not true,” said Rivard. “Today’s marijuana compared to a long time ago has two to three times more THC, so the addictive qualities are much greater, so it is so much more potent in terms of risk for addiction. We hear people all the time saying it isn’t addictive because it’s natural, but it is not only highly addictive, but harmful both short term and long term. Parents need to understand that it’s a gateway drug that will lead to other drugs.”
Among the short-term risks associated with marijuana are diminished memory, concentration and energy levels, as well as difficulty in school or in a relationship. Mood disorders and emotional instability are also common, as is increases in anxiety and depression.
“It’s just like alcohol or other substances,” said Greene.” It’s also been linked to thought disorders down the line.”
“All of the behavioral components that occur with any other substance abuse also happen with marijuana,” Rivard added.
Parents often miss signs their teens are using marijuana, as it is often packaged to look like ordinary food products like gummies or cereal, Greene said, adding that there are more than 300 varieties of edible marijuana.
“Parents need to take a closer look when packages come into the house as a seemingly innocent thing that looks like candy may instead be marijauna,” Greene said.
There are several things parents can do if they suspect their teenager is using marijuana that may help empower the teen to stand up to peer pressure if placed in a situation where their friends are using.
“Being able to say, ‘My parents will drug test me,’ or ‘I’m in sports season,’ can help the teen say no,” said Greene. “Avoid blanket phrases that marijuana is bad. Parents should also be reminding their children that it is illegal for people under the age of 21. This is often forgotten so teens should always be reminded that it is illegal.”
When confronting a child about marijuana, Rivard stressed the importance of remaining calm.
“That initial conversation will shut down if you lead with anger,” he said. “Instead, parents need to ask questions about when the teen started using, who it was with and where it happened,” adding that the best approach is a proactive discussion so their children know it’s illegal and against house rules.
When professional help is needed, Rivard said it is critical for parents and children to be open to the process. Oftentimes parents blame themselves for their children’s bad choices because of the stigma attached to substance abuse.
“It’s a disorder, a disease, it’s not the case that the child did this to hurt you,” said Greene. “It’s hard because society has driven home these stereotypes.”
“The important thing is to “take a step back and talk about it like you would any other health issue,” said Rivard. “Parents need to avoid thinking they were responsible for the choice their child made. Instead, they need to be always planting the seeds to be a constant influence, so that once the child gets to that point of having to decide to use marijuana, they have that constant voice in their ear helping them to say no.”
“Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz” can be viewed on the town’s website, https://www.town.lynnfield.ma.us/.
