Besides causing physical and psychological damage, overdose of a drug can lead to death. Many parents are unaware of their children’s activities and cannot suspect if they are addicted to any harmful substance. A 19-year-old boy’s mother was oblivious of the fact that marijuana led to the tragic death of her son until the autopsy report came in. The boy had 10 ng/mL of Delta-9 THC in his system, twice the amount permitted under the law (5.0 ng/mL). The teenager’s fun ride along Franklin Street in Denver soon came to a gory end.

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Why Driving Under Influence of Marijuana Must Be Avoided?
Teen years are fun times marked by new friendships, experiences and challenges. As one
embarks on a new journey, the chances of indulging in unhealthy practices are also high. The
2016 Monitoring the Future Survey of drug use among students of classes 8, 10 and 12 reveals
that though the use of some illicit drugs declined in the past few years in the U.S., but that of
marijuana did not. There has been a corresponding increase in the number of medical
emergencies and hospitalization related to marijuana use. Unfortunately, less than half of the
students acknowledge the risks associated with marijuana abuse.
Besides causing physical and psychological damage, overdose of a drug can lead to death.
Many parents are unaware of their children’s activities and cannot suspect if they are
addicted to any harmful substance. A 19-year-old boy’s mother was oblivious of the fact that
marijuana led to the tragic death of her son until the autopsy report came in. The boy had 10
ng/mL of Delta-9 THC in his system, twice the amount permitted under the law (5.0 ng/mL).
The teenager’s fun ride along Franklin Street in Denver soon came to a gory end.
There are many
Coloradans who
believe that the
legalization of
recreational
marijuana was a hasty
decision that could
soon turn the state
into a den for
nefarious practices.
For someone like
Nancy Drew (name
changed) who lost her
fiancée when a driver
high on marijuana
skipped the red light
and hit him lay the blame squarely on the government for failing to do its homework and
passing a law without understanding its implications.
For many others who have lost a loved one to marijuana or other illicit drugs, it is hard to
fathom why people, especially youngsters, are smoking, toking, or injecting drugs when there
are other worthwhile pursuits. They are also at a loss to understand what pushes them to
drive when they are on a high and put their life at risk.
Spike in traffic fatalities

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Driving under influence (DUI) has become a cause of concern in Colorado and Washington,
the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana. The Denver Post did an analysis of
federal and state crash data as well as county coroner reports and revealed that the number
of Colorado drivers who tested positive for marijuana use after a fatal crash nearly doubled
since 2013. In 2016, about a dozen of such drivers in 2016 had levels five times the amount
allowed by law.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the traffic fatalities in Colorado are
up by 24 percent since 2014. There were 547 incidents in 2015, which increased to 605 in the
following year. The last time the numbers crossed 600 was in 2005. While those in favor of
marijuana legalization say that it is too early to say anything with conviction, the Colorado
State Patrol officers found in 2015 that 77 percent of total driving under the influence of drugs
(DUID) cases involved marijuana, whereas 40 percent involved only marijuana. Even in
Washington, pot use among drivers involved in a fatal crash doubled post legalization.
Seeking help for drug addiction
Marijuana is considered a gateway drug that induces the users to try other drugs. Its use
impairs sense of judgment, reaction time and motor coordination. According to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the second substance after alcohol linked to
intoxicated drivers. Studies have pointed out that drivers with high levels of THC in their blood
are nearly twice as likely to be victims of a fatal crash than those who are sober. Teens who
abuse marijuana also have an increased likelihood of mixing it with other harmful substances
like alcohol and prescription medications, which may even prove to be fatal.
If you or someone you know is battling drug addiction and looking for the right guidance,
contact the 24/7 Recovery Helpline. We can help you or your loved one connect with one of
the best drug addiction treatment centers near you. Call our 24/7 helpline 855-441-4405 to
locate state-of-the-art drug rehab centers in the U.S.