Number of teens trying cannabis drops, new figures show

By February 21, 2020 Recent News

Radio NZ News 21 February 2020
Family First Comment: Great news. Similar to drops in smoking, teen sex and teen abortions. Don’t legalise drugs and mess up the positive trend.
“previous studies into cannabis use amongst teens from 2001 to 2012 also showed a decline. We know that cannabis trends are really closely tied to smoking trends and alcohol use,” 

The number of 14 and 15 year olds who have tried cannabis has fallen by more than a quarter.

Statistics published in the New Zealand Medical Journal show in 2018, only 14 percent of Year 10 students have taken the drug – down from 19 percent in 2012.

The authors said the decline was to be expected – previous studies into cannabis use amongst teens from 2001 to 2012 also showed a decline.

“We know that cannabis trends are really closely tied to smoking trends and alcohol use,” said research fellow at the University of Otago, Jude Ball.

She told RNZ’s Morning Report it was based on an earlier study that showed that cannabis use had declined really substantially in high school students between 2001 and 2012.

“That decline is continuing in this age group, but it is slowing,” she said.

“We knew that smoking and alcohol use have continued down in this age group.”
READ MORE: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/410009/number-of-teens-trying-cannabis-drops-new-figures-show

Teen cannabis use is declining, adults increasing in New Zealand – study
TVNZ One News 21 February 2020
The number of New Zealand teenagers using cannabis is dropping, however the number of adults using it is rising, according to a new study.

Today’s study found cannabis use in Year 10 students (typically aged 14 and 15 years old) has continued to drop since 2012.

Around 12 per cent of teenagers have tried cannabis, according to the study by New Zealand Medical Association, down from 19 per cent.

The number of teens who acknowledge weekly use has also declined slightly, from 4.1 per cent to 3.3 per cent.

“This was predicted, since cannabis trends in this age group are strongly associated with tobacco trends, and it was already known that smoking in Year 10 students had continued to decline since 2012,” the authors say in the report.

“The evidence suggests that adolescents’ willingness to try cannabis has increased, but their opportunities for doing so have decreased due to less face to face time with friends and fewer drinking and smoking occasions.”

The researchers say it’s based on self-reported data conducted in schools every two years.
READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/teen-cannabis-use-declining-adults-increasing-in-new-zealand-study
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