Did you know that this week (March 20-26) is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week? It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for teens to learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. This week consists of educational events and is an opportunity to openly discuss youth drug and alcohol use and provide accurate, science-based information. 

One of the most popular questions teens ask about drugs and health is what is the worst drug? When answering this question, there are many factors to consider. For example, it depends how much a person uses, how they consume it, in addition to other factors that determine a drug’s potency. That said, drugs like synthetic opioid fentanyl can be more harmful (and deadly) immediately and likely to lead to overdose, especially when it is mixed with other drugs. 

Some drugs are more addictive than others and effects can vary by age, family history and more. It is important to understand the risks of any drugs before taking them and keep in mind that teens and young adults are more susceptible to the negative health effects of many drugs since their brains are still developing. 

Here are a few quick facts from recent studies shared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

• In 2021, an estimated 106,699 people died from a drug overdose in the United States. 
• About 1,300 people die from the long-term health effects of cigarette smoking every day. 
• Excessive drinking is responsible for more than 3,900 deaths and 225,000 years of potential life lost among people under age 21 each year.
• 1 in 7 Americans report experiencing a substance use disorder.

At Hope Academy, we aim to meet our students where they are in their recovery journeys. From these facts, and our experience, it is evident that drugs and alcohol have negative and life-threatening consequences. If your teen needs support, learn more about Hope Academy and how we might be able to help.