| − | A '''gateway drug''' is a drug that has a certain degree of social acceptability which is thought to promote the subsequent use of other drugs. According to Drug Watch, The earlier children use the gateway drugs [[tobacco]] or [[alcohol]] or [[marijuana]], the more likely they are to move on to other drugs. Youth who drank alcohol were 50 times more likely to use [[cocaine]], and those who smoked tobacco cigarettes were 19 times as likely to use cocaine. Nearly 90% of cocaine users had smoked tobacco or drank alcohol or used marijuana first. The study, based on 30,000 [[American]] households, established a clear progression that began with use of the gateway drugs of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana and led to use of other drugs. [http://www.drugwatch.org/Alcohol%20&%20Tobacco_Gateway%20Drugs.htm] | + | A '''gateway drug''' is a drug that has a certain degree of social acceptability which is thought to promote the subsequent use of stronger, more dangerous drugs. According to Drug Watch, The earlier children use the gateway drugs [[tobacco]] or [[alcohol]] or [[marijuana]], the more likely they are to move on to other drugs. Youth who drank alcohol were 50 times more likely to use [[cocaine]], and those who smoked tobacco cigarettes were 19 times as likely to use cocaine. Nearly 90% of cocaine users had smoked tobacco or drank alcohol or used marijuana first. The study, based on 30,000 [[American]] households, established a clear progression that began with use of the gateway drugs of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana and led to use of other drugs. [http://www.drugwatch.org/Alcohol%20&%20Tobacco_Gateway%20Drugs.htm] |
| − | However, the results of one study can not be used to generalize for all populations, especially when accounting for differences in drinking laws and cultural norms. Additionally, a causal effect has not been definitively established and it is not clear whether certain individuals inevitably seek out drugs or whether one drug causes the use of another.
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