The 2012 Monitoring the Future study has shown that teenager’s
perception of marijuana as harmful is decreasing. Of significant
concern is one fact in the study showing that only 44% of 12th
graders thought regular use of marijuana was harmful. So they
don’t think marijuana is harmful? Why is that a concern? The
concern is the direct correlation between perception and drug
use. As the perception of harm from a substance decreases, the
use rate of that substance increases. Ask yourself this: if you
did not think something was harmful would you be more likely to
try it? Use it regularly? Experts are concerned this recent
decrease in perception of risk will lead to more teens using
marijuana. Given the many health risks associated with teens and
marijuana use we should all be concerned about this trend. Link
Together – Supporting Drug and Alcohol Free Youth