Disclaimer: The material discussed is controversial and some would argue it is a political issue. I’m not claiming any party the topics discussed are huge concerns
Legalizing drugs particularly marijuana is controversial and as of this writing two states have legalized it Washington and Colorado. They are some other states that are thinking about making it legal. I will admit this greatly concerns me not just for the Non Autistic Population but for the Autistic population as well. There are several reasons. I think it is important to realize that alcohol abuse is high in the Autism community. Research shows that as many as 50-60% of Autistic people aged 12 and older drink alcohol. The research shows there are two reasons why. Alcohol is used as a coping tool. Life can be stressful for those of us on the Autism Spectrum and a lot of them do not have the help and support they need so they turn to alcohol and what happens is the alcohol becomes a bigger problem. Second, Autistics desire to be social, but they do not know how, or they are rejected. So what he or she does is they start drinking trying to fit in and be accepted in society. So what does this have to do with marijuana the same principle could apply and that has me concerned.
People who are on the spectrum want to be seen as part of society, they want to have friends, they want to contribute to society but a lot of times it seems like society rejects people on the spectrum. My concern is that young adult Autistics will start to turn to marijuana thinking it will elevate their social level. If more states legalize marijuana it would be more easy for Autistics to get a hold of it. From what we know is that peer pressure is very real in the age groups 12-32 years old. What a person sees their friends do they are more likely to adapt to that behavior. From what we know in the Non-Autistic population is a person has friends abusing drugs they are more likely to start drug use. What is scary is I could see an Autistic person feeling pressure to try drugs to fit in. I also have another concern is due to the stress and desire to be seen as normal Autistics could start using drugs as comfort in trying to deal with the stress of life and not being social. Another concern is while Autistics are smart they may not understand social boundaries and understand that they need to say NO or know the risk drug use has.
Another thing that concerns me is we know the harmful effects of drugs to a Non-Autistic person, increased crime, rage, anger, depression, suicide, families being destroyed not to mention damage to the brain, heart and other organs of the body. But what we do not know is if the Autistic individual would have worse effects since the neurons in the Autistic brain are different. I would argue that it would be worse compared to a regular person. Also since Diabetes and other health problems are prevalent in the Autistic population the organs in an Autistic individual sometimes function differently. For example the pancreas may not produce enough insulin. Now factor in drug use the brain, the heart, the liver and kidneys are going to be impacted and that spells trouble.
Marijuana also is a gateway drug. Now some people would argue it is nobody’s business what drugs people use and that their is no side effects of marijuana. Okay that is debatable and another debate for another day. But here is what we know from studies. People usually start using alcohol or marijuana to start off. In time what happens is the effects of marijuana ware off. So people start turning to more deadly drugs to get a better high effect. The drugs that most people turn too are cocaine and Heroin and even LSD these drugs are more toxic and deadly. If an Autistic person starts to use Marijuana it concerns me that due to social desires they will try other drugs that could kill them in one use. Also drug dealers often times pray on people like ASD by sending the message this will make you cool, this will make you forget your troubles. I find this ver troubling
So what can be done. As a Christian I feel like that people who work with Autistic people need to realize that there is comfort in Christ. Christ died for everybody including Autistics. Second people who work with people on the spectrum need to teach self advocacy and explain the harmful effects of drugs. I did not know I was Autistic till I was a young adult but ever since I was little my parents told me to be my own advocate and Say No to drugs. My parents told me if anybody offers you drugs Say No. We even did some role playing . Even if a person says taking drugs would make the individual feel better or have their favorite things they need to say no. People who work with Autistics need to make sure their clients fully understand the harmful effects of illicit drugs. Even if people do know believe in God people should still talk to their autistic person and make sure they understand and have self advocacy.
With states legalizing illegal drugs that means it is going to increase along with the harmful side effects and that is not good for the general public but for the Autistic community as well. If more states legalize Marijuana then that means it will be easier for people on the spectrum to get
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