Adolescent brains are just
learning how to think logically, but they strive to make decisions for
themselves. They are less likely than adults to be fully wired to notice
errors in decision-making. Some skills have to be taught. A crucial
skill for adolescents and adults is evaluating the source of their information.
Youth often fail to question
the accuracy of information received from friends, relatives or acquaintances. They
are likely to be adept at finding information through Google searches, Wikipedia,
Erowid (an online library containing information about psychoactive drugs, plants,
and chemicals) and other sources, but
fail to evaluate the reliability of the source.
However, when watching educational
materials regarding marijuana featuring research scientists or doctors, they
sometimes state that they "don't trust" the information presented.
Perhaps it's their version of "Don't trust anyone over 30"! Discussing
their mistrust can be crucial to having a true dialog with them.
Let's consider the
following paragraph from the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) website:
Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the
potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems
worse.
The above "Research
clearly demonstrates" should prompt both adults and adolescents to ask
what research? when? where? what problems? worse in what way?
Over the next few weeks as we
look at research regarding marijuana, keep in mind the importance of evaluating
source materials, presenting accurate information, considering all sides, and providing
adolescents with the information and tools that they need to make informed
decisions. This assists us is working
with adolescent development. not against it.
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