The number of children and adolescents (under age 21) who are incarcerated has been steadily dropping since the mid-1990s according to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation that presents data from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The 2010 national rate of 225 youth per 100,000 is [...]
Adolescent Cannabis Use and Decreased IQ
Living somewhere between the worlds of science and politics has been the longstanding debate regarding the negative effects of cannabis abuse. While there have been some studies linking its use to lower IQ, most have not assessed IQ prior to the onset of substance use. A recent study published in PNAS will likely spark more [...]
Tags: cannabis, intelligence, iq
Bath Salts and Designer Drugs an Increasing Problem
Despite recent efforts to clamp down on “bath salts” and other designer drugs, their use (both legal and illegal) continues with many individuals winding up needing emergency treatment. A previous law last December making many of the designer drugs illegal in Vermont was strengthened this month by new federal and state legislation. By slightly changing [...]
Tags: bath salts, designer drugs
Does Cannabis Cause Psychosis?
Cannabis use in Vermont youth is extremely high with about a quarter of 11th and 12th graders having used it in the last 30 days, according to the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey. While cannabis is still considered to be relatively harmless by many, the health risks associated with its use are becoming increasingly apparent, [...]