What is the Gateway Drug Theory?
The gateway drug theory is one that has been used to argue that the use of certain “milder” drugs, like alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, increases the likelihood that people — especially teens — will then be at greater risk for taking “heavier” drugs, like heroin or cocaine. Though the gateway drug theory is popular and there may be some correlation between early use of drugs like marijuana and harder drugs, the correlation is not simple, and the theory is in dispute. Studies by a number of reputable agencies show that use of alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana may not cause more serious drug use.
