Marlene Moore, Ann M. Melvin and Denise K. Sommers
High School Teacher’s Knowledge on the Effects of Marijuana on the Adolescent Brain: A Pilot Study
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2009, 28.5 million Americans aged 12 and older reported abuse of marijuana. The effects of such marijuana use range from health consequences to abnormal brain development. Research has also shown that adolescents spend the majority of their time in school, and this environment becomes an essential part of their learning. Due to the potential influence teachers have on their adolescent students, it becomes essential for them to have the knowledge about substance abuse and its harmful effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an educational brochure designed to increase teacher knowledge of the effects of marijuana on the adolescent brain. Results from the overall score showed an increase in the means from pre-test (9.53) to post-test (15.67) which can be interpreted as an increase of knowledge about the effects of marijuana on the adolescent brain. The implications of this study support educating teachers about the impact and symptoms of youth marijuana abuse.
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