Cannabis is the top drug among youth in behavioral emergencies

This study analyzed emergency department visits by Australian children and adolescents (ages 9-17) experiencing acute behavioral disturbance, with a specific focus on their recreational drug use history. Researchers found that one-third of youth (33%) had used recreational drugs at some point before enrollment, revealing concerning patterns of substance use in this young population. Cannabis was by far the most commonly used drug, reported by 25% of participants (87 out of 348), followed distantly by amphetamines/methamphetamines at 9% and benzodiazepines at 7%.

The research highlights an important public health concern: recreational drug use appears to be a contributing factor to acute behavioral disturbance in children and adolescents presenting to emergency departments. The dominance of cannabis in this population—accounting for more than 70% of all reported drug use cases—suggests that early cannabis exposure may play a significant role in behavioral crises requiring emergency intervention. This secondary analysis of a controlled trial provides evidence that cannabis use in youth is not just a matter of substance abuse statistics, but has tangible clinical consequences that strain emergency healthcare resources.

These findings underscore the need for preventive interventions and screening protocols in emergency departments to identify youth at risk for substance-related behavioral emergencies. The data raises important questions about the developmental impact of cannabis on adolescent behavior and mental health, particularly for the youngest users in this cohort. Understanding these patterns could help healthcare providers better assess and manage behavioral crises while also informing public health education about cannabis risks in young populations.