Lock Up Your Teen Daughters!

No, not seriously, but this report indicates that teen girls try drugs and alcohol at a higher rate than boys. Drugs listed include marijuana and cigarettes.

1.5 million girls between 12 and 17 started drinking alcohol in 2004 compared to 1.28 million boys. Girls also smoked more cigarettes (730,000) and marijuana (675,000). Nicotine is not a big surprise, as girls have been using that for years as a way of keeping their weight down.

Researchers feel girls are more vulnerable to the effects of drugs, so special care must be used in educating therm to the dangers of abuse. Girls may become addicted to nicotine faster than boys and even moderate drinking can disrupt their growth and the development of their reproductive systems.

Dr. Ralph Lopez, an associate professor at Cornell University's Weill Medical College and the author of "The Teen Health Book: A Parents' Guide to Adolescent Health and Well-Being," said teenage girls are at risk for drug and alcohol use because they feel pressure to succeed academically and also to look perfect. Any parent who say the movie Mean Girls will attest that fictional movie felt more like a documentary for their teenage daughter.