Marijuana.com

Buzzby

African American Teens and Smoking
African American teens smoke less despite media encouragement
Insight News | 07/07/2006

Most teens spend a lot of time watching movies and listening to music. Unfortunately, much of this entertainment sends the wrong message about smoking. One study found that illicit drugs appeared in more than 1 of every 5 movies. No matter what type of movie—action adventure, comedy, or drama—illegal drugs appear all too frequently. Drug use often is shown in scenes that link drugs with wealth, luxury, sexual activity, or risky activities such as crime or violence and driving a car. Most of the time, drug use is shown in a social context. Marijuana appears in movies more often than any other illegal drug. Marijuana and other illicit drugs also show up in many popular songs—in Rap more than other types of music.

Good news!

Despite the steady stream of encouragement to use harmful substances, most African American teens have not been swayed by these examples. In fact, a Federal survey in 2000 showed that about 9 percent of African Americans between 12 and 17 have tried marijuana. This figure was down from about 12 percent the year before and was less than the percentage in the overall teen population. The 5 percent who had used marijuana in the past 30 days also was less than in the previous year.

Reason for caution

The fact that most African American teens have not gone along with the many scenes and messages that encourage marijuana smoking is certainly something to celebrate. But it's too soon to say that the problem has been solved. Too many young people still use this illegal drug as well as other dangerous substances, such as alcohol, tobacco, and ecstasy. Recent declines in marijuana use are encouraging, but trends can change. Only a few years ago, the use of marijuana among all teens, including African Americans, was rising. So, it is important for parents and other responsible adults to remain watchful. This means staying involved in young people's lives, helping them choose friends wisely, providing a consistent no-use message, making and enforcing rules, and keeping track of their activities.

Different influences

Why do adolescents start smoking marijuana? Young people may not like to admit it, but they often are influenced by their peers. And, as we've seen, images and messages in movies, music, and advertising play a big part in encouraging drug abuse. However, a new study showed that, for African American youth, there may be another part of the puzzle. The study found that both African American and Hispanic adolescents are often influenced more by their families than by friends. This means that parents and other older family members must "walk the walk" by setting a good example.

Special risks

Smoking marijuana is a threat to anyone's health. But it's especially dangerous for African Americans, who are more likely than any other racial group to die from lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Many African Americans also die from diabetes. Marijuana use has been connected to these health risks.

Marijuana-smoking causes changes in the heart and body's circulation similar to reactions to stress. These changes can result in conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and coronary atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease). Marijuana can also harm the lungs. The average marijuana joint contains four times as many toxins and carcinogens as a tobacco cigarette. Also, marijuana smokers inhale deeply and hold the smoke within their lungs, so there is a much greater risk of damage. Marijuana users often get "the munchies"—strong desires for sweets and other foods. Eating these types of food can lead to an increase in blood sugar for diabetics, which can make their medical condition worse.

In addition to the special risks that marijuana poses for African Americans, users are vulnerable to contracting HIV by exercising poor judgment, lacking clear thought, and becoming a victim. A recent study shows that teens who drink or use drugs are more likely to have (unprotected) sex and initiate it at younger ages and with multiple partners. These teens are at higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.

Marijuana also causes visual hallucinations, intense anxiety, paranoia, sleepiness, and reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination like driving. This makes users more vulnerable to accidents.

Marijuana decreases inhibitions and impairs judgment. In a study of more than 1,000 inner-city youth, those who admitted using marijuana monthly or more often in their early adolescent years were more likely to use weapons, to commit violent acts, and to be victims of violence.

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NCAA Athlete

"Marijuana-smoking causes changes in the heart and body's circulation similar to reactions to stress. These changes can result in conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and coronary atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease)."

Really? I have never heard this. I know that heart rate increases temporarily after use but have there been studies done regarding "changes in the heart and body's circulation"?

dedbr

I had to put on hip boots before I finished reading this piece of .....well, you can fill in the blank, huh?


Some Where In Ded Land.....

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"Two roads divereged in a wood- and I, I took the ono less traveled by- and it has made all the difference.......Robert Frost

No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding.
Plato


Posting Guidelines!

likemyorbs

"Marijuana also causes visual hallucinations..."


yeah....i wish!

Buzzby

Marijuana raises the heart rate moderately. It usually lowers blood pressure due to its vasodilator effects. No study has ever associated marijuana use with hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, or coronary artery disease. One study showed an increase in the rate of myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) within an hour of smoking, but what are your chances of having a heart attack in any given hour?


No credible study has been able to find causation between smoking marijuana and lung cancer. One study, in which Stephen Sidney, MD, examined the files of some 64,000 Kaiser patients, found that marijuana users did not develop lung cancer at a higher rate or die earlier than non-users. Another study by Donald Tashkin, MD, found a lower incidence of lung cancer in marijuana smokers who did not smoke tobacco than in people who didn't smoke anything. The same study showed a lower incidence of lung cancer in cigarette smokers who also smoked marijuana than in people who smoked only tobacco.

 

NCAA Athlete

Why do they lie so much?

Buzzby

They operate from a false premise: government approved drugs are good; all other drugs are evil. Proceeding from that false premise they feel justified in doing "whatever it takes" to "protect the children". That includes lying and imprisoning people who have harmed no one.

The next question is "Why do they believe all drugs other than government approved drugs are evil?"

The answer is mostly cultural and economic.

Every culture, seemingly arbitrarily, has its approved drugs - which are often not considered to be drugs at all. In Western societies those drugs are alcohol and tobacco. You're not supposed to alter your consciousness except in socially approved ways - getting drunk is "normal" (i.e. that's what most folks do). Using marijuana is "foreign", "forbidden", "dangerous", and probably "sinful". Through hundreds of years of experience, our society knows what to expect from people intoxicated on alcohol. It's not quite sure what to expect from people high on cannabis.

The economics is quite simple. Cannabis, which would be easy to grow and quite inexpensive, would be in competition with many products from existing industries, especially the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry has lobbyists who spread money around to the campaign chests of Congresspersons on both sides of the aisle. In return, legislation that supports legal cannabis is rejected.

Huge federal, state, and local law enforcement bureaucracies depend for their existence on the money they get to enforce marijuana laws. The same goes for the drug treatment industry and the prison industry. Making marijuana legal would be taking money out of their coffers and possibly putting people out of a job. They have a vested interest in keeping it illegal and they have influence in the legislative process because of their supposed expertise.

Mr_Master2

This may border on racist, but I highly doubt the survey's results are accurate based on personal experience. Only 9% of African American teens have tried marijuana??? Admittedly I do not have an overwhelming amount of African American friends but from what I have seen, at least 75% of black males smoke at least once a month. Have the survey's authors ever travelled through an inner city. I bet the black youth in gangs who smoke are over 9% of all teens alone.

Buzzby

Surveys depend on honest answers from those surveyed. I agree that the 9% figure grossly under-represents the truth. Considering how much more likely African-Americans are to go to jail for weed crimes, it's understandable why few are willing to admit use.

SmokeytheBeav.

ANY study worth its salt will ALWAYS follow up statements such as "causes visual hallucinations" (etc.) with a citation of empirical (valid and peer reviewed) research. This article is a bunch of garbage. This is propoganda pure and simple. You are so right Buzzby about the pharmaceutical lobbyists ( and oil, auto,etc)....they are in the pockets of the government.
On a side note.... I was diagnosed a long time ago with "social anxiety disorder". I would have panic attacks. They (the doctors) put me on a large variety of "medication" - klonopin was just one of them. I had to go the the hospital twice from the side effects of getting off the medicine they prescribed. Both of the meds I went to the hospital for are now removed from the market... go figure.
Natural medication from mother Earth is the only safe way to go. No side effects for me, no doctors, no medical bills for unsafe, overprescribed medication, and have had no anxiety for years.