News

Study Emphasizes Genetics in Adolescent Progression to Heavy Drug Use
A study out of Cardiff University in Wales suggests that while environmental factors like peer influence,cost,and availability play a key role in whether adolescents experiment with drugs, genetic factors are likely more responsible for progression to heavier substance use and addiction.

Cocaine Use Linked in Heat Attacks
Regular cocaine use can be blamed for a quarter of the non-fatal heart attacks suffered by people under age 45, says a study in "Circulation." Working with information on 10,085 people, researchers divided them into never, infrequent, and frequent cocaine use groups. the researchers found that regular cocaine users had nearly seven times the risk of having a non-fatal attach than non-users.

Marijuana Getting Stronger
Marijuana continues to get a little more potent each year. A project at the University of Mississippi has tested samples of marijuana seized by law enforcement annually since the late 1970's to ckech levels of THC, the active ingredient. The average amount of THC in marijuana seized last year reached 8.5%, up from 7% in 2003. Although teenage use is down, marijuana is blamed for more emergency room visits. The increase in the THC level is due to genetic engineering.

Salinza Mitchell conducted MARP's August Seminar.

2007 Southwest PRN, Lake Tahoe