Psychopharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs / Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?

Psychopharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs / Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?

For this Learning Activity, use the information from the assigned reading and your own research to explain whether you think that marijuana is a gateway drug or not. Write a response that supports your opinion in a minimum 5-page essay. Remember to support your opinions with statistics (use NIDA or SAMHSA).

1. Do you think that marijuana use leads to the use of other drugs/alcohol?

If yes….(use these questions to finish your essay)

2. Explain what other drugs are often used with marijuana. Which drugs to teens and/or adults use after marijuana?

3. Why do you think that marijuana use leads to the use of other, often stronger drugs?

4. How would an addictions professional use this information in his/her work with clients?

If no… (use these questions to finish your essay)

2. How do marijuana users begin their use (e.g. from cigarettes or from no use)? What is the average age and frequency of use in the United States?

3. Why do you think that marijuana use does not lead to the use of other, stronger drugs?

4. How would an addictions professional use this information in his/her work with clients?

This is an essay so be sure you are weaving the answers to the questions into a well-written academic essay. The essay should be 5 pages at least (not including the title and reference page) supported by current research, and formatted according to the most recent edition of the APA manual.

You must demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of original materials in Standard American English. [Note: Standard American English is the common language of educated professionals and is understood by people across different geographical regions, educational backgrounds, and ethnic and racial associations.]

Each paper should include:

A title page
The paper itself (the “discussion”)body of the paper
Citations formatted according to the most recent edition of the APA manual
Use standard margins: 1″ on all sides.
Use standard 12-point font size, Times New Roman or Arial.
Use standard double-spacing: average of 22 lines per page, and between 20 and 24 lines per page.
Use left-aligned text. Do not right-justify.
A reference page