Emergency Department Visits Involving Drug Misuse or Abuse by Children Aged 12 to 14.

摘要

Children undergo dramatic physical, mental, and emotional changes and establish important health and behavior patterns as they transition between childhood and adolescence. Research findings indicate that early initiation of substance misuse or abuse is associated with changes in brain functioning, substance abuse or dependence in adolescence or adulthood, and numerous negative behaviors. In 2009, public health surveillance measures showed that an estimated 627,000 children aged 12 to 14 reported past month alcohol use, and about 560,000 reported past month illicit drug use.