Brittany Nation Foundation Against Drunk Driving

This Foundation was started to create a great awareness for the use of a Designated Driver and allowing them to drive when it comes time to. If you get in a jam call 813 996 7636 or 1 800 AAA HELP for Tow to Go.The Brittany Nation Foundation Against Drunk

Mission

To get the word out for everyone to use a Designated Driver when out on the town or leaving a house party what ever the occasion. Awareness is Huge let's all make a difference!

Company Overview

This is being started in the name of our Daughter Brittany Nation whom was killed due to a Drunk Driver that wouldn't allow her to drive when she was sober. Her only fault was getting in the car, but when your an hour an a half away from home you might feel helpless at 12:30 AM. The Foundation is directed to preventing senseless deaths or injury due negligence of a Drunk Driver. By giving a ride to those in need but even more important, to get the awareness of using a Designated driver.
We strive to pick up people in dangerous situations all over the the Tampa Bay area. It is our goal to stop the loss of life due to people thinking there only buzzed, when in fact there drunk.The loss of our Beautiful, Caring , Giving of herself person, that good will come from it, and we together can save lives.

You can contact us right now at 813 996 7636 to be picked up. This Organization has begun from the Land O Lakes and it stretching outward where it ends no one knows. We are reaching for the stars on this one! or email us at nationfoundation@aol.com with any suggestions you may have. Our goal is to save Lives We don't pick up people whom have been drinking and are just abusing the service. It is for people whom feel helpless. So don't give into some one that say's "I'm fine I can drive no problem besides it's my car" just tell them NO! and Don't Get In!

Description

If your ever in need of a lawyer Vakka Larson, and Johnson is the way to go. Respected, and Effective. They treat you like family.

General Information

We advertise in our area at local High Schools where young and impressionable kids grow up and drive. Get the word out to them by making an influence on them to not drink and drive early on. We also advertise at local Little league in our area, to reach them at even a younger age. Social networking, to provide examples groups for healing after losing a loved one. As well as giving out rides in our area for those that can not drive or are in fear to get in a car when some one has been drinking. We get them to safety! 

 http://brittanynationfoundation.com

 

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, September 21, 2013

PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2013         The date is now set for PRO-ACT's Recovery Walks! 2013, which we will hold once more at Penn's Landing on the beautiful waterfront in Philadelphia. Put September 21 on your calendar.         The Planning Committee already has had a couple of meetings and our first priority is to enlist your help as a volunteer on the various committees that make the Walk the success we have had in the past. Walk Committees Need Volunteers NOW!         Can you spare a few hours between now and September 21, 2013, to be part of the large PRO-ACT team that at the end of September 21 can look back at the day with pride and say, "I contributed to the success of Recovery Walks! 2013" Please help--we can't do it without YOU!         We are recruiting volunteers NOW to share their ideas and energy to help make Recovery Walks 2013 the success we have enjoyed in the past.  We need those with some leadership abilities to serve as committee chairpersons and those with an interest in the various tasks to serve as committee members.         Committee chairpersons will be asked either to attend some of the monthly Planning Meetings in person, call in and participate by telephone, or send a substitute to report to the group. The Monthly Planning Meetings are held at the PRO-ACT Recovery Training Center at 444 North 3rd Street in downtown Philadelphia (but calling in is acceptable). Committee members don't have to attend those monthly meetings but are asked to work with their committee chairpersons.         There are several committees, some of which are: Registration        Publicity        Banners & Signs        On-site Logistics        Transportation        Solutions             Parking         Teams     If you can spare a little time, please call Kim Doughty at 215-923-1661 or send an e-mail to Kim by clicking here. Philadelphia Recovery Idol Competition Solo Singers; Duet Singers; Musicians The Winner will perform at PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2013 Will receive local and national media coverage Will win a professional recording session The Philadelphia Recovery Coalition invites you to enter for a chance to audition. The first 100 people to submit a complete entry form will be considered. Complete entries must be received by  FEBRUARY 1, 2013 For an entry form, please call Derrick Ford at 215-546-1200, ext. 4780 or send an email to him by clicking here

www.councilsepa.org

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. - Judges 21:25 NLT

Thoughts for Today

During this period in Israel's history, the people were inconsistent in following God. With no central vision of God's laws and statutes, "all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." The result? Social disorder… sin.

We could use this same phrase to describe today's society. Masses of people are doing whatever seems right in their own eyes. "If it feels good, do it" has become a common mantra.

Consider this …

An "if it feels good, do it" attitude does not result in peace. It results in chaos, selfishness, strife, and all manner of sin. If our world is to find peace, it must turn to Yahweh-Shalom.

And if we as individuals want to find inner peace, we will find it only in the Lord. By choosing his way instead of ours. By submitting to his commands instead of our feelings. By choosing to do what is right in his eyes, not ours.

Prayer

Lord, help me not to be ruled by my own desires and feelings. Help me to seek your will in every area of my life. Help me to choose what is right, not what feels good. In Jesus name …

These thoughts were drawn from …

Knowing God My Father: Applying the Names of God to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This curriculum is designed to help people strengthen their relationship with their heavenly Father by applying His names to their personal life. Along with helping Christians know God better, it can serve as an evangelistic tool by giving a true picture of God to people who may have a distorted view of Him because of an absent or abusive earthly father who did not or does not provide for them. This group can also help men who want to be better fathers. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Parents360 Rx

The Parents360 Rx Action Toolkit is a new community education resource that can be used by professionals from law enforcement, prevention and treatment, as well as by any concerned adults who want to share information about medicine abuse with their friends, family, neighbors and organizations to which they belong.

How does it work?


The Parents360 Rx Action Toolkit consists of a video, a discussion guide and a small number of documents, and is available to individuals and organizations at no charge. Program hosts show the short (11-minute) video, which addresses the impact of medicine abuse on real families, to stimulate an informal discussion. The focus of this video is prescription medicine abuse, considered by many to be the biggest substance abuse threat we currently face and one that is unknown to many parents and underestimated by many others. While medicine abuse is the focus, the discussion may be guided to include other substance abuse topics as desired.

Hosts can use this toolkit at meetings of groups to which they belong, such as parent-teacher organizations, faith groups or even in the workplace. The kit may also be used in more traditional Parents360 venues where there are stringent time constraints (e.g. Rotary Club meetings). Or, hosts may wish to invite a few friends, family, neighbors or any group of concerned adults to their home or to another place in their community where they are comfortable such as a library, schools, places of worship, or local restaurants.

The Parents360 Rx Medicine Abuse Action Kit makes it very easy to share the video and have a meaningful, productive discussion about the issues raised within. All that is required is a computer connected to a projector or a DVD player that is connected to a TV.

You can learn more about the medicine abuse issue by visiting The Medicine Abuse Project and by viewing a slidecast about prescription drugs and over-the-counter cough medicine.

We also ask for your help to spread the word.  You can make a real difference in the lives of your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors by sharing information about the Parents360 Rx Action Toolkit.  We have created versions for individuals as well as organizations such as police departments, schools, prevention organizations, health care providers and businesses.

Technical assistance on using this new tool is available upon request.

Sign up for the Community Education eNewsletter
Stay up-to-date with the latest PACT360 information and learn how to get involved in substance abuse prevention efforts in your community by signing up for our monthly Community Education eNewsletter.
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 © 2012 The Partnership at Drugfree.org

The Partnership at Drugfree.org: Highlights of 2012

By Cassie Goldberg | December 18, 2012 | 0 Comments | Filed in Our Blog

For The Partnership at Drugfree.org, 2012 was a year full of firsts.

From the launch of The Medicine Abuse Project to the unveiling of our new campaign “The Hope Share,” to new tools for parents, grandparents and Hispanic families, we expanded our reach and resources to a wider audience this year. All of our efforts helped advance us toward our vision of a world where all kids will be able to live their lives free of drug and alcohol abuse.

We are proud to share some of our highlights of 2012. We express our gratitude and humble thanks to all of our supporters, partners and contributors who helped make them possible. Click the image below to view our highlights slideshow.

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Tagged with: 2012, 2012 highlights, all-star tasting, dionysus, Facebook, facebook chat, gala, grandparents, grandparents guide, Habla Con Tus Hijos, hablacontushijos, highlights, hope share, medicine abuse project, Meet the Parents Hour, outside the wire, pact360, pact360 website, pact360.org, parent toolkit, parents360 rx, partnership attitude tracking study, pats, The Hope Share, the medicine abuse project, toolkit, winter wish gala

          MERRY   CHRISTMAS!!!

     GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!
     

      HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  







           
 

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. - 2 Peter 1:2 NLT

Thoughts for Today

Today's scripture tells us that one way to experience more of God's grace and peace is to grow in our knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Grow in our knowledge. Get better acquainted. So how do we do this? How do we get better acquainted with our heavenly Father and with his Son?

If we want to build a closer relationship people on this earth, how do we go about it? We spend time with them. When we are together, we don't do all the talking - we listen. If they express their desires - either by speaking or in writing - we are eager to know what they have to say. We try to do things that will please them.

And so it is with the Lord. If we want to know him better, we spend time with him in prayer. And we don't do all the talking - we listen. We eagerly read the Bible to hear his words, to understand him better. We trust him and live to please him.

Consider this …

As we approach a new year, consider making a commitment to grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. Determine to talk to him more--and to listen even more than you talk. Eagerly seek him in his Word. And trust him day by day, becoming increasingly aware of his constant presence. As you do these things, he will give you more and more grace and peace.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for your love and grace and peace. Sometimes I get so caught up in the whirlwind of life that I don't spend time getting to know you better. In the coming months, help me to spend more time with you … to learn to listen … to learn from your Word. In Jesus' name …

These thoughts were drawn from …

Knowing God My Father: Applying the Names of God to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This curriculum is designed to help people strengthen their relationship with their heavenly Father by applying His names to their personal life. Along with helping Christians know God better, it can serve as an evangelistic tool by giving a true picture of God to people who may have a distorted view of Him because of an absent or abusive earthly father who did not or does not provide for them. This group can also help men who want to be better fathers. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Invitation to COA's Famous New Year's Eve Party

Join City of Angels as we ring in the New Year!  We'll be celebrating from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am on New Year's Eve (Monday,  Dec. 31) at the Dwier Center (392 Church Street, Groveville) There will be music & dancing...and of course, plenty of refreshments including pizza from Groveville's best Italian restaurant, Family Nest. Everyone is welcome, old friends and new. If you haven't been to COA in awhile, this is the perfect time to catch up and re-connect. If you're able, a snack for the refreshment table is always welcome...     For more details about this event, or to volunteer to help with it, contact CityofAngelsNJ@hotmail.com. To watch a video of this year's Christmas with the Angels, click here.   Tips for Preventing the Holiday Blues Most people know the holidays can be a period of emotional highs and lows. Loneliness, anxiety, happiness and sadness are common feelings, sometimes experienced in startling succession. The bad news is the holiday blues can trigger relapse for people recovering from alcoholism and other drug addiction. The good news is the blues can be remedied by planning ahead.  Why do the blues hit during this otherwise festive season? Doing too much or too little and being separated from loved ones at this special time can lead to sadness during the holiday season. Many recovering people associate the holidays with memories of overindulgence, perhaps of big benders that resulted in relationship problems or great personal losses.  People experience feelings of melancholy, sadness and grief tied to holiday recollections. Unlike clinical depression, which is more severe and can last for months or years, those feelings are temporary. Anyone experiencing major symptoms of depression, such as persistent sadness, anxiety, guilt or helplessness; changes in sleep patterns; and a reduction in energy and libido, should seek help from a mental health professional.  Whether you're in recovery or not, developing a holiday plan to help prevent the blues, one that will confront unpleasant memories before they threaten your holiday experience. Your plan should include improved self-care, enhanced support from others, and healthy ways to celebrate. Here are a few suggestions to achieve a happy, sober holiday season:  Good self-care is vital. Remember to slow down. Take some quiet time each day and work on an attitude of gratitude. Plan relaxation and meditation into your day, even for a few minutes, no matter how busy you are. Relax your standards and reduce overwhelming demands and responsibilities. Don't overindulge. Go easy on the holiday sweets and follow a balanced diet. Monitor your intake of caffeine, nicotine and sugar. Exercise regularly to help maintain your energy level amid a busier schedule. Don't try to do too much. Get plenty of sleep. Fatigue is a stressor. Maintain some kind of schedule and plan ahead; don't wait until the last minute to purchase gifts or prepare to entertain.  Enhance your support system. Holidays are a good time to reach out more frequently to your therapist, sponsor, spiritual advisor, or support group. If you're in recovery, spend time with fellow recovering people. Let others help you realize your personal limits. Learn to say "no" in a way that is comfortable for you.  Find new ways to celebrate. Create some new symbols and rituals that will help redefine a joyful holiday season. You might host a holiday gathering for special recovering friends and/or attend celebrations of your Twelve Step group. Avoid isolation and spend time with people you like who are not substance users. Don't expose yourself to unnecessary temptations, such as gatherings where alcohol is the center of entertainment. If there are people who have a negative influence on you, avoid them.  Focus on your recovery program. Holidays are also an important time to focus on your recovery program. For example, ask, "What am I working on in my program now?" Discuss this with your sponsor.  Release your resentments. Resentment has been described as allowing a person you dislike to live in your head, rent-free. Resentments that gain steam during the holidays can be disastrous for anyone, especially recovering people. The Big Book of "Alcoholics Anonymous" refers to resentment as the No. 1 offender, or the most common factor in failed sobriety.  Holidays may also be a time to evaluate your spirituality and find a personal way to draw support from the spirit of the season. Return the holidays to a spiritual base, and stress the power of unselfish giving.  Recovery is serious work, but it is also important to have fun. Laugh a little and a little more. Start seeing the humor in those things that annoy you. Take from the holiday season what is important for you and leave the rest. Thank you to our friends at Hazelden for these helpful suggestions!   Tidbits   COA hosts support group meetings for both addiction sufferers and their families every day of the week at the Dwier Center (392 Church Street, Groveville, NJ). This includes 12-step meetings, a Sunday night Spirituality Meeting and the popular Sunday morning Family Support Group. To check out our online calendar, click here.     For directions to the Dwier Center, click here.      The COA website now offers an Addiction News Feed with the latest studies, reports, new and other info on addiction. It's updated in real time with top 30 articles. To read the feed, click here.  New videos are up on the COA YouTube channel. To watch, click here.      Join COA's Pinterest community! To visit the boards, click here.          Keep current on COA activites - join the COA group on Facebook!  COA news is posted first on Facebook, and this page often has photos not available elsewhere. Click here to visit.   City of Angels NJ, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides many services to addicts and their families including interventions, recovery support, Family Program, counseling services and more. All of our services are provided at no charge.

Happy holidays to you and yours from NAADAC!

Dear Joseph, As 2012 comes to a close, we take pause in our busy lives to be grateful for our family, friends and colleagues. In 2013, NAADAC is excited to introduce many new initiatives for members of our profession.  Bookmark our website to stay abreast of our progress. Blessings for the coming New Year, Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP Executive Director, NAADAC Make a Donation to the Addiction Profession Give a gift that keeps on giving by making a donation in a loved one’s name. Make a tax-deductible donation to NAADAC Education and Research Foundation (NERF) to help us empower addiction focused professionals. By supporting NERF you are helping us to lead, unify and empower addiction focused professionals to achieve excellence through education, advocacy, knowledge, standards of practice, ethics, professional development and research. Click here to make a donation Last Minute Shopping Need a gift for your favorite addiction professional, colleague, clinical supervisor, or friend? Get 25% off items in the NAADAC online bookstore. Click here to browse the online bookstore NAADAC Website

Give Recovery Your Voice!  The road to recovery is not an easy journey, yet tens of thousands of men, women, and young adults have found their path to sobriety at Fellowship Hall. Now, as a tribute to all of the individuals who have made the journey here, as well as those yet to come, we are creating the Fellowship Hall Serenity Fountain and Courtyard. We expect this symbol of hope - constructed at the entrance to Fellowship Hall - to contribute significantly to the feeling of tranquility and calm that our guests and visitors expect. Surrounding the fountain will be bricks that may be purchased and engraved as honorariums and remembrances for friends, alumni, counselors, family members, and loved ones. Please show your support for the work of Fellowship Hall and all whose paths lead here by adding your message. Brick by brick, we will create a lasting monument to life. Levels of Sponsorship and Giving:      Fountain Sponsors (4)                               $10,000    Bench & Lighting Sponsors (8)                    $3,000    Landscape Sponsors (8)                             $1,000    Walkway Sponsors (12)                                 $500    Brick 8" x 8" (includes company logo)             $250    Brick 4" x 8"                                                  $100 For more information, please contact: Murphy Sullivan Director of Development & Community Relations 336.621.3381 murphys@fellowshiphall.com Buy A Brick Today

Copyright © 2012 Fellowship Hall, Inc. All rights reserved. You are receiving this message because you are a Friend of Fellowship Hall. Our mailing address is: 5140 Dunstan Road Greensboro, NC 27405 unsubscribe from this list • update subscription preferences • forward to a friend

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil." - Proverbs 3:5-7 AMP

Thoughts for Today

If you are trying to help a loved one with a life-controlling problem, you must first reach a point of accepting the reality of their situation. Only then will you feel free to turn your loved one over to God. This is a time when you are able to detach yourself from the one you love so much. You will be able to truly lean on and trust in the Lord—and stop depending on yourself to fix your struggling loved one.

Consider this …

The prodigal son's father was not an enabler. He allowed his son to be responsible for his own actions (read Luke 15:11-32). The rebellious son asked to receive an early inheritance and then squandered it all on wild living. He then had nothing—he was hired to feed pigs and found himself yearning for their food. Even at this point, no one reached out to rescue him from the consequences of his behavior (verse 16). And so … he "came to his senses" (verse 17). He finally was ready to take responsibility for his behavior. He showed humility and took positive action (verses 18-20). He returned home and confessed his sin toward his father and heaven.

This father had faith that his son would return. Although he showed compassion, there is no record of his enabling his son. He allowed the son to be responsible for his own actions. Do you love the struggling person in your life enough to let go … and lean on God?

Prayer

Father, I have tried leaning on my own understanding. I know now that I must let go of my loved one, allow him to suffer the natural consequences of his behavior, and lean on you. Help me fully trust in your way and your time. In Jesus' name …

These thoughts were drawn from …

Living Free by Jimmy Ray Lee, D. Min. and Dan Strickland, M. Div. This updated version is presented in two parts. It offers information for anyone who either has a life-controlling problem or has a loved one with a life-controlling problem:

Part 1: Learning to Live Free

• Defining Life-Controlling Problems
• Mastered and Trapped by Issues
• Walls of Protection
• Family Influences
• Helping or Harming?

Part 2: Helping Others to Live Free through Small Groups

• The Small Group Strategy
• Effective Facilitation and Communication
• Launching a Living Free Ministry 

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture

"Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." - Matthew 11:29-30 AMP
Thoughts for Today
Codependent people often feel guilty because they believe that they did something to cause their loved one to go out of control. They see that their efforts have not cured the person, and they think that somehow if they try harder, they can control the person with the life-controlling problem. The misbelief that we can "fix" other people leads to a painful cycle of failure and loss of self-worth.
If you are trying to assist a friend who has become codependent, help him or her understand these truths:

• They did not cause their loved one's problem. Their loved one is responsible for the choices that have led to addiction, no matter what the circumstances may be.
• They cannot control their loved one's behaviors. Trying to control the struggling person through manipulation, domination and guilt only leads to a greater loss of energy. They cannot fix their loved one—only God can do that.
• They cannot cure their loved one. Encourage them to give their anxiety to the Lord. He doesn't want us to suffer through this kind of struggle. He has promised us that his burden is light.

Consider this …
Codependents need encouragement to examine their own lives. Because of their own delusions, they usually cannot see their addiction to another person. It takes friends from the outside to point out this reality to them. You can help your codependent friends by

• Taking them to a Living Free Concerned Persons group
• Encouraging them to focus on Christ instead of on their loved one
• Modeling an honest relationship with respect and boundaries
• Care-fronting delusion
• Encouraging them to accept responsibility for their own actions
• Praying for them

Prayer
Father, guide me in helping my friend. Help her understand that she can't fix her loved one … that your yoke is easy and your burden is light … that she can trust you with her loved one. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …
Living Free by Jimmy Ray Lee, D. Min. and Dan Strickland, M. Div. This updated version is presented in two parts. It offers information for anyone who either has a life-controlling problem or has a loved one with a life-controlling problem:
Part 1: Learning to Live Free

• Defining Life-Controlling Problems
• Mastered and Trapped by Issues
• Walls of Protection
• Family Influences
• Helping or Harming?

Part 2: Helping Others to Live Free through Small Groups

• The Small Group Strategy
• Effective Facilitation and Communication

Launching a Living Free Ministry

 

 

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Survey: Almost One-Fourth of 12th Graders Have Smoked Marijuana in Past Month

By Join Together Staff | December 19, 2012 | 3 Comments | Filed in Drugs & Youth

Almost one-quarter of the nation’s high school seniors say they have smoked marijuana in the past month, and just over 36 percent admit to using the drug in the past year, according to the 2012 Monitoring the Future Survey. Researchers at the University of Michigan who conducted the annual survey found 6.5 percent of high school seniors smoked marijuana daily.

Among 10th graders, 3.5 percent say they use marijuana daily, while 17 percent report using the drug in the past month, and 28 percent in the past year. “We are increasingly concerned that regular or daily use of marijuana is robbing too many young people of their potential to achieve and excel in school or other aspects of life,” National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow said in a news release. “THC, a key ingredient in marijuana, alters the connectivity of the hippocampus a brain area related to learning and memory. In addition, we know from recent research that marijuana use that begins during adolescence can lower IQ and contribute to reduced cognitive abilities during adulthood.”

The survey of approximately 45,000 eighth, 10th and 12th graders found fewer students perceive marijuana as harmful, compared with previous years, Bloomberg.com reports. Researchers found 41.7 percent of eighth graders view occasional use of marijuana as dangerous, and 66.9 percent view regular use as harmful. These rates are the lowest since the survey began asking this age group about their perceptions of marijuana in 1991.

Among 12th graders, 20.6 percent view occasional marijuana use as risky, the lowest rate since 1983. Among this age group, 44.1 percent view regular use as harmful, the lowest rate since 1979.

“Yet another year of increases in childhood marijuana use is deeply disturbing as these can spell real trouble for young kids later on,” Steve President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org said in a statement. “Heavy use of marijuana – particularly beginning in adolescence – brings the risk of serious problems and our own data have shown it can lead to involvement with alcohol and other drugs as well. Kids who begin using drugs or alcohol as teenagers are more likely to struggle with substance use disorders when compared to those who start using later in life. This is of particular concern because we know that 90 percent of addictions have roots in the teenage years.”

The survey found use of other illicit drugs continued declining among high school students.