(We are perpetually ‘told’ by pro-drug sociologists, that ALL TEENAGERS are ‘risk takers’ – it’s just brain physiology. Besides being an incredibly inaccurate global statement, it also depends on the psycho-social environments and whether or not exposure to Anthropological principles for resiliency building have been employed pre-teen, that will have influence on how that ‘teen’ perceives and/or chooses risk. We know now from brain science that drug use altars the perception of both risk and reward in the developing brain – Perception of reward goes UP and perception of risk goes down. This alone should be enough for any caring educator, leader, policy maker, parent to minimise engagement at ANY level with these drugs, including alcohol.
Remember, ‘Adolescence’ is a First World and very recent invention. Prior to 1940’s there was only ever the two demographics, that of child, then adult. Cultural informers, values depletion or ‘recalibration’, behavioural reinforcers or absence thereof, all influence decision making and consequent conduct. The science is in, the maturing brain can seek healthy reward via the pursuit of meaningful purpose, healthy relationships and investing in social capacity building enterprises, or it can pursue ‘rebellion’ and seek a short cut to a chemically induced ‘reward’ and destroy not only brain physiology, but capacity for healthy dignity and humanity enhancing contributions. The Pro-drug culture seems to want to ‘protect’ the ‘right’ of the ‘non-adult’ to pursue risk taking options that diminish both personal and community resiliency and productivity…So, the question is, where are you/we investing our ‘rights energies’ for our children?) – Dalgarno Institute
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cannabis concentrates, which are cannabis plant extracts that contain high concentrations of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannbinol (THC), have become increasingly popular among adults in the United States. However, no studies have reported on the prevalence or correlates of cannabis concentrate use in adolescents, who, as a group, are thought to be particularly vulnerable to the harms of THC.
METHODS: Participants are a racially and ethnically diverse group of 47 142 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students recruited from 245 schools across Arizona in 2018. Participants reported on their lifetime and past-month marijuana and cannabis concentrate use, other substance use, and risk and protective factors for substance use problems spanning multiple life domains (i.e., individual, peer, family, school, and community).
RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of all 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders reported lifetime cannabis use, and 24% reported lifetime concentrate use. Seventy-two percent of all lifetime cannabis users had used concentrates. Relative to adolescent cannabis users who had not used concentrates, adolescent concentrate users were more likely to use other substances and to experience more risk factors, and fewer protective factors, for substance use problems across numerous life domains.
CONCLUSIONS: Most adolescent cannabis users have used concentrates. Based on their risk and protective factor profile, adolescent concentrate users are at higher risk for substance use problems than adolescent cannabis users who do not use concentrates. Findings raise concerns about high-risk adolescents’ exposure to high-THC cannabis.
