PRINCETON NJ Announcement

More Teens Are Vaping; Education and Treatment Are Needed National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, January 22-27, 2019

MERCERVILLE, NJ – While teenagers’ use of cigarettes, alcohol, opioids and several types of illicit drugs has declined from 2017 to 2018, twice the number of high school students nationwide used electronic cigarettes, compared to the previous year. This is an increase of nearly 1.3 million adoles-cents, according to the 2018 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of nearly 45,000 eighth-, 10^th- and 12^th-grade students. This trend underscores the importance of education, especially since many youth hold the misconception that vaping is not dangerous. The fact is that electronic cigarettes and Juuls contain nicotine and other chemicals that adversely affect brain development and increases risk of future addiction to cigarettes and other drugs.

“The decreased use of drugs would be more encouraging if it were not offset by the dramatic increase in use of electronic cigarettes. Clearly, much more is needed to educate youth about the dangers of all drugs and hopefully prevent them from using these substances,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA).

NJAMHAA members provide treatment for substance use disorders, as well as mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders. To search NJAMHAA providers by county or city, visit www.njamhaa.org and click on the “NJAMHAA Members” button.

To help educate youth, as well as parents and educators, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, along with other federal agencies, sponsor National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week^®: SHATTER THE MYTHS^®, which will be observed January 22-27, 2019. For details, visit https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week.

The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA) is a statewide trade association representing 144 organizations that serve New Jersey residents with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and their families.  Our members – nearly 98 percent of behavioral healthcare providers in New Jersey – may be found in every county and almost every community statewide. They serve more than 500,000 children and adults each year and contribute to the economy through 61,000 direct and indirect jobs. NJAMHAA’s mission is to promote the value of its members as the highest quality behavioral healthcare providers for the residents of New Jersey through advocacy and professional development.