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Marion County sees increase in drug use among eighth graders

By Staff Writer

The availability of illicit substances continues to remain a growing concern among parents and school administrators, and the problems are getting worse for residents of Marion County, Indiana. A new study discovered that eighth graders were more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and use marijuana than other students across the state.

Experts have yet to pinpoint a reason why drug use among teens in the county is high, according to The Indianapolis Star. However, a lack of funding for substance abuse prevention may be to blame.

Researchers found that although marijuana usage across the state has increased, it has significantly jumped in Marion County. Approximately 17 percent of eighth graders admitted to using the drug within a 30-day period, compared to the 8 percent recorded nationally, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Marion County plans to apply for a $125,000 five-year grant to quell the drug problems among adolescents. This amount would be more than twice the funds the county currently has to use on prevention annually.

Approximately 40 percent of eighth graders said they could easily obtain marijuana in 2010, according to researchers at the University of Michigan. School counselors and rehabilitation facilities can provide substance abuse help to individuals dependent on illicit substances.

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