It seems that children are getting involved with drugs at younger ages and the truth is that they are. According to a report prepared by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, one in 20 11-year-olds have used some kind of drug. 30,000 of them have done so within the past year.

Twenty-five percent of 11 to 15 year olds have been offered drugs at some point, while 1 out of 6 have given in and used drugs. With our younger generations beginning to use drugs so early, one can’t help but be troubled by the findings.

Kids Experimenting With More Than Marijuana

Most people think of pot as being a first-time drug, as it usually is. Thirteen years oldis the average age that a child tries marijuana for the first time. Household chemicals have also been reported to be popular. Substances like glue, paint thinner and other hazardous chemicals have been sniffed or “huffed” by kids hoping to get high. Although these types of drugs may be expected to be experimented with by such young children, there are other serious drugs that are being used, such as cocaine, ecstasy and “magic mushrooms”

These types of mushrooms contain psychotropic tryptamines that cause distorted perceptions.Ecstasy is a popular club drug that can be extremely dangerous. It affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Drug use at such a young age has proven to be especially detrimental to a child’s developing brain. The teenage years are another prime time for developing cognitive abilities. These teens are missing out on a developmental window that will never open for them again.

The Best Ways to Fight Back

Several reports have shown that approximately 28 percent of 11 to 15 year old students have been offered drugs at some point in England. Out of this 28 percent, five percent of 11-year-olds have actually used drugs. This may seem like a small amount, but when you do the math, it totals 29,950 kids. While any number of children using drugs is unacceptable, this is disturbing. In response to this report, the Prime Minister has stated he is going to adhere to the current policy that is being followed in Britain, as opposed to taking on a different, “softer” approach, such as the Portuguese system.

This system hands out less harsh punishments in hopes that drug users will “learn their lesson” and aim for treatment instead. The Prime Minister is confident that drug use is beginning to come down because of the successful actions that are being taken under Britain’s current policy.

This may be one way to go; however, talking to kids about drugs and preventing the problem has shown to be effective as well. For those already addicted, long-term rehabilitation has appeared to be the answer. Looking for rehab centers out of the state may prove to be beneficial as well to strip teens away from their environment.

About the Author: Bradley Wilde is a health and wellness writer who has worked with school-aged children extensively in the past. He recommends if a young person you know is abusing drugs, clicking here to find a Narconon rehab facility.