Adolescents opting for marijuana over alcohol

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Cannabis: The go-to drug for young Icelanders

In the Land of Fire and Ice, cannabis has become the preferred gateway drug for many teens, often before they even touch alcohol. Runa Agustsdottir, a seasoned alcohol and drug counselor at Foreldrahus, emphasizes this trend and warns about its insidious dangers.

"Weed? It's the number one, two, and three drug among teens," Agustsdottir said in a recent interview, highlighting the prevalence of marijuana use among the young. "A lot of people don't even see weed as a drug," she added, recounting how she's seen the substance wreak havoc on lives.

Foreldrahus, a support center for families grappling with substance issues, handles nearly a thousand youngsters and their families yearly, mainly due to cannabis use. With over four decades of experience, Agustsdottir primarily works with minors and their families, often intervening long before legal substance use is on the table.

Ignoring the red flags

Agustsdottir laments that parents commonly dismiss cannabis use as harmless, contrasting it with harder substances like amphetamines. However, she cautions about the consequences of early marijuana use, leading to addiction and setbacks in personal development - particularly when use begins before the age of 16.

"Parents don't seem to get how dangerous weed can be for teenagers," she asserted. "Studies show that the younger someone starts, the more likely they are to develop a dependency."

Despite this, Agustsdottir remains optimistic. She emphasizes that many young addicts can overcome their dependency with early intervention, and most do not escalate to heavier drug use.

The lost years

However, Agustsdottir is cautionary about what she terms "the lost years" - a critical period, spanning ages 14 to 18, where regular drug use can derail education, delay social development, and leave youth struggling to reintegrate with their peers.

"They might stop using eventually, but by then, they've dropped out of school, fallen behind socially, and missed out on important life experiences," she warned.

Agustsdottir calls for greater awareness and involvement from parents and schools, urging early detection and intervention to prevent long-term harm.

Insights

Exploring the long-term effects of early marijuana use on Icelandic teenagers requires understanding both the potential for addiction and developmental setbacks. While specific data on Iceland may be limited, general research provides insights into these issues.

Chronic marijuana use during teenage years can lead to psychological dependence, loss of motivation, and cognitive deficits. Early marijuana use has been associated with an increased risk of depression in young adulthood and potential cognitive impairments. These effects can impact educational and social development, potentially hindering long-term goals and mental health.

Iceland, with its prevention initiatives like the Icelandic Prevention Model, aims to foster healthy environments and reduce substance use among youth. Awareness programs focused on mental health are essential in Iceland, as they underscore the importance of mental well-being alongside substance use prevention. Understanding the broader impacts of early marijuana use can inform prevention strategies and support systems tailored to Icelandic youth.

The increasing rates of marijuana use among Icelandic teenagers, as highlighted by Runa Agustsdottir, raise concerns about its potential impact on their health-and-wellness, particularly in terms of addiction and developmental setbacks.
Agustsdottir stresses the importance of science in understanding the long-term effects of early marijuana use on Icelandic teenagers, as exploring these implications can inform prevention strategies and support systems for their mental health and well-being.