Much prior research has found that alcohol and/or tobacco use in early adolescence typically precedes marijuana use which typically precedes any hard drug use and abuse. This finding has been often misinterpreted as suggesting that use of alcohol somehow “causes” subsequent hard drug abuse. This perspective has lead to the simplistic policy position that preventing alcohol use among youths will eventually solve the broader problem of substance abuse. This paper reviews the ample evidence which refutes this claim and encourages those involved with policy development not to oversimplify the challenges and problems facing youths.
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