Los Angeles. Alcohol and drug addiction in adolescents is closely linked to smoking. Believed to be one of four drug addicts came from tobacco addiction, while 90 percent of them started addicted ever since under the age of 18.

Recent research conducted the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse(CASA) showed 90 percent of drug addicts (drugs and harmful materials) in the UnitedStates began an addiction before it was over 18 years. That is the most vulnerable high school drug abuse.

Interestingly, one of four addicts or 25 percent of the drug began to experiment since knowing cigarettes. Therefore, experts in the CASA agreed that the habit of smoking in adolescents could be the most powerful indicator for predicting drug abuse later in life.

In a study involving 17,809 adolescents aged over 12 years, it was revealed that teenagers who smoke are more vulnerable to abuse of various substances. Higher risk of addiction marijuana 7 times, 14 times as much cocaine and heroin 16 times.

To just try, adolescents in the age 12-15 years who smoke 44 times more vulnerable than those who did not know heroin smoking. Effect of smoking in this age 2 times greater than age 50 years and over, in relation to heroin abuse.

“The brain is still developing until age 25. If at that time are familiar with the brain of nicotine, cigarettes would become a gateway to addiction of other compounds, especially alcohol and drugs,” said Dr. Stanton Glantz of the University of California, as quoted from Medicalnewstoday, Thursday (30 / 6 / 2011).

Cocaine, a white powder derived from the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca) is the type most widely abused drug among smokers. Since the recent number of smokers among high school increased, believed to be cocaine users in the future will also increase.