Preview

challenge that teenagers face

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1178 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
challenge that teenagers face
Drugs and alcohol have become so common in the world’s middle and high schools that for many students, schools days have become something to look forward to because of the experiments with substances. Relying on survey responses, researchers have reached the conclusion that 80% of America’s high school students and 44% of middle schoolers have individually engaged in substance abuse (MedicineNet. 2012). The two levels of schooling comprise of teenagers between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. In most schools, engaging in drug abuse includes possession, drug dealing, use, and students high on alcohol or drugs. Approximately, America has 16 million teenagers between the ages of 13 to 18 years whom are subject to drug and substance abuse while in school. In this study paper, we seek to explore the causes for the rise in drug abuse amongst teenagers while in school. Research in teenager substance abuse indicates that drug abuse trend has grown over the years especially for school going teenagers. Experimentation with alcohol and drugs during the ages of 13 to 18 years is common in the current society. There are various reasons behind this rise of drug abuse in school-going teenagers which range from home to the school environment. According to research, there are numerous causes of teenage drug abuse, each of which can contribute to a life-long habit of abusing drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol.nce of Drug abuse among Teenagers

Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs, both illegal and legal. Legally available drugs include prescribed medications, alcohol, over the counter cough, sleep, diet medications, and inhalants. The most commonly abused illegal drugs include stimulants, marijuana, heroin, opiates, and designer drugs. According to the recent statistics, the use of illegal drug is increasing especially school going teenagers. Notably, the average age of first marijuana use is at the age of 14 while alcohol can start as early as 13. The average abuse of marijuana and

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    4. (2007). National Institute on Drug Abuse. Monitoring the Future. National Results on Adolescent Drug Use. Overview of Key Findings 2008. (http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/MTF.HTML). Bethesda, MD. NIDA, NIH, DHHS. May 2007. Retrieved June 2009.…

    • 2109 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Teenagers are vulnerable to aquiring substance abuse disorders. This has much to do with their functional and neurocognitive brain development and how the areas of the brain manage the child’s feelings and cognition (Wiers, Boelema, Nikolaou, & Gladwin, 2015). It is estimated that by the time adolescents become high school seniors 70% had tried alcohol, 50% had tried an illegal drug and 20% had taken prescription medications that may, or may not, have been prescribed to them. There are a number of reasons adolescents abuse these substances such as to deal with stress or personal problems, to fit in or seem cool around other peers, or just to try the experience. While some may be able to try these substances and that be the end of it, others find the substances may help them cope with things, one way or another. (NIH Staff, 2014).…

    • 1090 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Substance abuse among adolescents is becoming an increasing concern. There are the obvious health issues associated with substance abuse, but many people do not consider the long term affects of drug and alcohol use. In this paper I will discuss substance abuse among teens, causes, statistics, effects of substance abuse, current treatments, and the importance of developing appropriate treatment options for youth.…

    • 2164 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Substance abuse is a major health threat. Legal and illegal substances available to adolescents include tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, glue, paint vapors, and pills to name a few. In a survey done in the beginning of the new millennium, it was found that thirty percent of adolescents reported using illicit drugs. These illicit drugs include drugs such as amphetamine and cocaine. The spread of AIDS infections by use of dirty needles increased the…

    • 1050 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Drug Use and Delinquency

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages

    There is an evident link between juvenile drug use and delinquency. A 2008 study explored the connection between delinquency and the use of nonmedical prescription drugs in teens. As prescription drug abuse is on the rise in America its abuse has not left out a crucial group of people; adolescents. “The findings of this study indicate that nonmedical prescription drug use is significantly associated with self-reported delinquency as well as self-reported arrest” (Ford, 2008). The article discusses the sociological and psychological contributors to delinquency and drug use while focusing on the new trend of prescription drug use. The abuse of prescription drugs as well as other illicit drugs is usually triggered by social and psychological disorders that are only worsened by the drug use. “Delinquency and substance use are both based on a common set of risk factors, for example low self-control” (Ford, 2008).…

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    A lot of teenagers abuse drugs for a variety of reasons, stress from school, social acceptance or low self-esteem, self-medication, misinformation, and easy access to name several. Seventy three percent of teens of teens report the number one reason for using drugs is to deal with the pressures and stress of school. This was…

    • 1699 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Statistics shows that drug use has really increased amongst youngsters. In 2001, 34.5 % twelve year old and older teenagers tried marihuana, but in 2002 this number increased to 37 %. In 2001, 1.2 % of teenagers of the same age group tried heroin, and this number also increased to 1.5 % in 2002. These numbers show that more and more youngsters are becoming addicted to drugs. (Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2003, pg. 136)…

    • 1325 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Adolescence constitutes an important period of growth in which adolescents develop physically, socially, psychologically, and cognitively (Stagman, Schwarz, & Powers, 2011). During this time, adolescents make choices that impact their health and also develop attitudes and behaviors about their health. Among these choices stands drug use which can affect the developmental milestones of adolescence. Towey and Fleming (2006) describe that drug use in adolescence can impact the development of autonomy, the formation of intimate relationships, and the integration into adult society. Drug use increases their risk at developing dependency and addiction (The Gallup Organization, 1996) and 5% of school-age children in the United States qualify for a diagnosis of substance abuse disorder (Tarter, 2002). As a result, they have poor health outcomes and a poor quality of life and this becomes an issue in counseling not only for developing early intervention by identifying…

    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Increasing abuse of prescription drugs among teens can be attributed to psychological, environmental, or behavioral conditions.Drug abuse in teens can be linked to other disorders or conditions which lead to drug abuse. Teens who abuse drugs are likely to become adults who abuse drugs. It is necessary to understand and address these underlying issues if successful prevention is to happen. First it is necessary to understand the magnitude of the problem…

    • 2923 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Teenage drug abuse is one of the largest problems in society today and the problem grows and larger every year. Drugs are a pervasive force in our culture today. To expect kids not to be influenced by the culture of their time is as “unrealistic as believing in the tooth fairy,” (Jauman 140). Teens may feel pressured by their friends to try drugs, they may have easy access to drugs, they may use drugs to rebel against their family or society, or they may take an illegal drug because they are curious about it or the pleasure that it gives…

    • 1360 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Health Education Plan

    • 926 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Researchers proved a long time ago that teens that drink or use drugs before age 21, will more likely develop a serious alcohol or drug related issue. Because of this alarming rate of teens using drugs and alcohol, and being one of the 2020 Healthy People Goals, 37 states currently have in place an alcohol and drug related prevention programs within their schools, to be taught in the schools. It is great to mandate prevention education; it is another for the schools and their staff to come up with resources and extra time to fulfill this mandated education. The community needs to help out with this prevention education to reach our youth. In 2010, The National Institute on Drug Abuse’s monitoring the Future report indicated that 80 percent of U.S. students had used alcohol or drugs by the time they reached the 12th grade. When parents, school officials and faculty, and the community join forces and send consistent messages to our teens, it empowers them to make…

    • 926 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    According to USATODAY.com, in a 2005 survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, “19% of U.S. teenagers – roughly 4.5 million youths – reported having taken prescription painkillers to get high. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, the reason for this is because it is so accessible.” Because today’s teenagers can obtain prescription drugs easier than they can illicit drugs, more teenagers are experimenting with prescription drugs than ever before. In fact, studies show that prescription drugs are teens’ choice of drug to become high.…

    • 1644 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Adolescents and Marijuana

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug used by teens today. Approximately 60 percent of the kids who use drugs use only marijuana. Of the 14.6 million marijuana users in 2002, approximately 4.8 million used it on 20 or more days in any given month (Kids and Marijuana).…

    • 780 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Teen substance abuse continues to be a significant problem in US. While they may find new substances to abuse for time to time, teens are still using drugs and alcohol as an escape from the typical issues plaguing America's youth. Perhaps by taking an honest look at the numbers, we can all get some insight as to the depth of the problems and how we can best address them.…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Most of the problems facing today’s youth are not restricted to any one ethnic or religious group, but affect young people generally. Most discussions on youth have focussed on issues such as drug abuse, crime, violence, sexuality and poverty. In addition to these, today’s youth are afflicted by new challenges.…

    • 1520 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays