Illicit drug abuse has become a serious problem to be tackled in the United States. Along with adults, illegal drugs, especially marijuana, have been used by teens more frequently. Some of the teens are not even aware of the harmful effects of marijuana and continue to use it without quitting. A study was conducted by the researchers of the University of Washington. It was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This study revealed that a voluntary conversation with adults reduces the use of marijuana in teens.
The study included 310 participants who were 9th-12th graders. They met the criterion of smoking marijuana regularly. The study conducted meeting for the participants with health educators. It lasted for about 30-60 minutes for two weeks. The meetings were done in two ways. The first one included motivational interview which included the discussion between the health educator and the student. They discussed about the interference of marijuana usage in the student's life, goals, career and personal values. The other one was an educational approach where the students were educated by a PowerPoint presentation regarding the current marijuana research, and the health and psychological effects of marijuana.
It was found that participants in the motivational interview group started the study using marijuana for 40 days out of the previous 60 days. After three months of counseling, they had decreased their use by 20 percent, that is they have decreased it to 32 days out of 60 days. After one year, they showed a 15 percent decrease, that is the usage day further decreased to 34 days out of 60.
On the other hand, the participants in the educational group showed slower results. They reported an 8 percent decrease from 38 to 35 days out of 60 days three months after the treatment ended. After one year, they reported a 11 percent overall drop, using marijuana 34 of 60 days. The study, therefore, suggested that effective and voluntary conversation with a professional discussing the concerns of substance abuse, reduces the marijuana usage in teens.
The study included 310 participants who were 9th-12th graders. They met the criterion of smoking marijuana regularly. The study conducted meeting for the participants with health educators. It lasted for about 30-60 minutes for two weeks. The meetings were done in two ways. The first one included motivational interview which included the discussion between the health educator and the student. They discussed about the interference of marijuana usage in the student's life, goals, career and personal values. The other one was an educational approach where the students were educated by a PowerPoint presentation regarding the current marijuana research, and the health and psychological effects of marijuana.
It was found that participants in the motivational interview group started the study using marijuana for 40 days out of the previous 60 days. After three months of counseling, they had decreased their use by 20 percent, that is they have decreased it to 32 days out of 60 days. After one year, they showed a 15 percent decrease, that is the usage day further decreased to 34 days out of 60.
On the other hand, the participants in the educational group showed slower results. They reported an 8 percent decrease from 38 to 35 days out of 60 days three months after the treatment ended. After one year, they reported a 11 percent overall drop, using marijuana 34 of 60 days. The study, therefore, suggested that effective and voluntary conversation with a professional discussing the concerns of substance abuse, reduces the marijuana usage in teens.
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