Youth substance abuse treatment for alcohol and marijuana

To follow up with an earlier entry about King County youth substance abuse treatment trends . . .

Youth treatment admissions are different from adult admissions
While marijuana and alcohol are the top two drugs used by youth admitted into treatment, with marijuana way ahead of alcohol, adult treatment admissions tell a different story. Among adults admitted into treatment in King County, alcohol is by far the primary drug. Illegal drugs round out the top five: cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and meth.

Most people who are addicted to alcohol and marijuana start using as youth
Of all people who entered treatment in King County in 2008, 81% of those who were admitted for alcohol addiction and 92% of those who were admitted for marijuana addiction started using the substances before the age of 18.

Not only does this information point toward the need for effective prevention programs among youth, it points to the importance of including youth substance abuse prevention in our conversations about marijuana decriminalization and legalization. Especially considering that the primary way that youth access needed substance abuse treatment is through the juvenile justice system. Our conversations should include how we, as a community, can prevent youth substance abuse and provide youth with access to treatment before they are in trouble with the law.

Drug trends among King County youth

According to the report Drug Trends in the Seattle-King County Area, 2008, of all King County residents who entered substance abuse treatment in 2008, 81% of those who were admitted for alcohol addiction started using alcohol before the age of 18. Ninety-two percent of those who were admitted for marijuana addiction started using marijuana before the age of 18.

The chart below shows youth substance abuse treatment admissions in King County. By far, the primary drug for which youth seek treatment is marijuana, followed by alcohol.

Secure medicine return

Yesterday, I attended a meeting about the proposed Washington State Secure Medicine Return Bill that was introduced in the House and the Senate this year but did not make it to the floor for a vote. Advocates for this bill include substance abuse prevention advocates (who are concerned about prescription drug abuse), environmentalists (who are concerned with medicines being found in our water), and law enforcement (who are concerned about controlled substances).

Group Health and Bartell Drugs have implemented successful medicine return programs and the bill would expand medicine return programs statewide. The bill will be re-introduced in the upcoming session and it is expected that the pharmaceutical industry will, once again, launch a strong campaign in opposition.

Did you know . . . .

-- Over half of those using prescription drugs for non-medical reasons obtained them from a friend or relative.

-- One-third of all new abusers of prescription drugs in 2005 were 12-17 year olds.

A community workgroup led by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute at the University of Washington recently unveiled its King County 2008 drug trends report. It found:

-- Drug related deaths involving prescription opiates totaled 153 in 2008, more than double the number of deaths from any other substance.

-- While the numbers are very low in northeast Seattle, in King County, 8% of tenth grade students reported using prescription opiates to get high in the past month according to the Healthy Youth Survey.