Surprisingly, the majority of Morton East teens have smoked weed this year. 

Marijuana is the most common drug among teens. Most teens smoke because they believe its a way to cope with their emotions and problems. Many others just simply do it because they believe its fun and their friends do it.  The negative effects that marijuana has on a teen in school and social life are that it declines their school performance, increases the risk of health issues, impaired driving, and a potential for addiction. Research shows that marijuana use can have permanent effects on the developing brain when use begins in adolescence, especially with regular or heavy use. Frequent or long-term marijuana use is linked to school dropout and lower educational achievement. In a random survey of 100 Morton East students, 64 students reported that they have smoked marijuana this year. 

 “We have many resources around Chicago area to help students stop smoking,” Assistant Principal Mr. Randy Bogardt said. 

 At Morton East High School they have many options and programs to help their students stop smoking Marijuana. 

 “We’ve talked about installing vaping sensors but we’re waiting to hear the feedbacks from West to see if they help because the sensors are really expensive,” Dean Mr. Dugan said.

  Morton East has wanted to put the vaping sensors in their bathrooms, but they are expensive. Each sensor cost 995$, along with a 495$ software setup fee. The school Morton West has them already so instead East is waiting on their feedback to see if they are helpful.  

“I started smoking when I was 13 years old,” an Anonymous Junior Student said.

This shows that many students have started using and smoking marijuana at a really young age, so they got addicted to it. 

“It isn’t a good idea to smoke, especially when you are young because your brains are still developing,” English teacher Mr. Tondelli  said.

 A human brain stops developing at the age of 25, so smoking is bad for teens.