March 22, 2021
March 22nd through March 28th Is National Drug and Alcohol
Facts Week®
On February 22, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed three bills
that legalize cannabis for recreational use, decriminalize
marijuana and establish civil penalties for individuals under
the age of 21 who are caught possessing marijuana. Opponents
argue that the legalization of marijuana could perpetuate
teens' misguided notion that marijuana is safe. Marijuana has
negative impacts on individuals' brains, especially in
adolescents, whose brains are still developing. The U.S Surgeon
General, Jerome Adams, states that frequent marijuana use
during adolescence results in adverse changes in areas of the
brain involving attention, memory, motivation and
decision-making. The Surgeon General also notes that the risk
for psychotic disorders increases with the frequency of
use.
"With more states legalizing marijuana and as the COVID-19
pandemic continues, it is critical that young people are
educated about the effects that marijuana and other substances
have on their development. Education promotes healthier
lifestyles and empowers teens to make informed decisions about
drugs, so they could potentially avoid adverse health,
financial and social consequences of substance use. That is why
events such as National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® are
important. They allow adolescents to engage with a neutral
party that will provide them with accurate information about
the impact that alcohol and drugs have on their bodies," said
Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of the New Jersey
Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably impacted mental
health, it has had a particular impact on adolescents' mental
health, and self-medication with marijuana and other drugs is
common. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
reports that mental health insurance claims for teenagers
doubled early on in the COVID-19 pandemic. It also stated that
the pattern of mental health claims remained consistent through
November 2020; however, it remained 19 percent higher than in
2019. Substance use disorder and overdose-related health claims
also rose among 13-to 18-year-olds. Youth with mental illness
or substance abuse can have negative impacts on their academic
performance, responsibilities at work and relationships, as
well as exacerbation of physical health conditions.
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) is an annual
observance that encourages dialogue about the scientific
perspective of substance use and addiction among young people.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual National Drugs and
Alcohol Chat Day has been canceled to focus on new virtual
content that will be available from Monday, March 22nd through
Sunday, March 28th. NDAFW was originally launched in 2010 by
scientists at the NIDA, which hosts educational events in
communities so adolescents can learn about the science behind
addiction. The week brings together scientists, students,
healthcare providers, educators and community partners to raise
awareness and help prevent substance misuse. Federal partners
include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
National Institute of Mental Health, the Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office of Minority
Health and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and
Nutrition. Organizations and advocates can either host their
own events or express support by sharing information about
NDAFW on social media.
