Preview

How the Use of Drugs and Alcohol Affect High School Achievement Essay Example

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2949 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How the Use of Drugs and Alcohol Affect High School Achievement Essay Example
Sociology High Honors
April 11, 2003

How the Use of Drugs and Alcohol Affect High School Achievement

A student at Lakeside High School, called Ann for purposes of privacy, had a grade point average of 3.6 through her sophomore year. During her junior year, she dropped out of extra-curricular activities and became withdrawn from other social activities. As she was introduced to the world of hard drugs, Ann's grades dropped to C's and D's. At her graduation party, she was rushed to the hospital for a heroin overdose. Ann's grades plunged as a result of heavy drug use, a likely combination of emotional and physical degrading upon herself. Society as a whole degrades itself in this manner, whether the individuals themselves realize it or not. Achievement in high schools today is lacking greatly because of the societal problem of teen drug abuse. (Callahan 1)

The achievement of high school students is affected by the usage of drugs and alcohol. Many factors can lead to the usage of drugs. There is an apparent correlation between family income and drug use. The pressures exerted by society and peers also increase the chance of high school students to use drugs or alcohol. Students who are under the influence of mind-altering chemicals cannot learn as well, lack motivation, and risk permanent loss of memory and ability to learn. Many programs have been put into effect in the last five years to help combat this social disease, such as D.A.R.E. This is a serious problem in today's society because not only is the usage illegal, it causes society as a whole to degrade its social climate for growth. (Schydlower 1)

Some of the most common factors that seem to have a direct correlation with drug use are peer pressure, high unemployment rate, low paying jobs, continued poverty, health problems, and lack of health insurance. There are many reasons why a high school student may use alcohol or drugs, but there are five main reasons as thought by

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Teens drop out of school after being addicted to the use of drugs. A program like DARE was given to students in middle school, but it is important for teens to also be aware of the risk in high school. If students are offered drugs and they know the consequences they are more likely to refuse rather than try using drugs. When teens use drugs it’s likely for family and health issues to occur. When students are taught about the risk they can get good grades and achieve their…

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The D.A.R.E. Program was created to help youths say “no to drugs”. “Started in 1983 by the Los Angeles Police Department and the L.A. School Districts, DARE has quickly become the nation's standard anti-drug curriculum.”(Glass 1997) The D.A.R.E program represents an agreement between local schools and their local law enforcement officers. However, the D.A.R.E program on a national scale is ran by D.A.R.E America, which receives input from state and local communities on how they feel the D.A.R.E program should be working.(Gist 2001) “The primary goal of D.A.R.E. Program is to prevent substance abuse among schoolchildren and help them develop effective gang and violence resistance techniques.”(Gist…

    • 2359 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Over 20 million Americans above the age of 12 have an addiction, and 90% of those with an addiction began drinking, smoking, or using illicit drugs before the age of 18. Many of these addictions are products of peer pressure and students attempting to be the life of the party. In Cole Meyers “Addiction” he shows us how the continued use of drugs can give one a short term gains to increase his or her social status; however, in the long term, addiction strips the individual of his or her identity.…

    • 599 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good 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
  • 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

    At-Risk Program

    • 1469 Words
    • 6 Pages

    There are several signs that students could convey during schools hours that draw the attention of teachers or classmates. This program will be available to any parents concerned about their children with substance abuse, or students exhibiting at-risk warning signs. Warning signs of an at-risk student that will be eligible for a drug and substance abuse program may exhibit several traits that set them apart from the rest of the student body. These include smelling like alcohol or drugs, missing or skipping class, a dramatic change in academic involvement, trouble with authority, and getting involved in fights or showing an increase in aggressive behavior (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2012). Students who exhibit any of these signs would be recommended to participate in the drug and alcohol program. Periodic drug screenings in schools for students expressing these signs is another measure that will be taken to inform educators and parents of the students experimenting with illegal substances and need our help and…

    • 1469 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) teaches our children—from kindergarten through high school—that popularity can be found in positive behavior, that belonging need not require them to abandon their values, that self-confidence and self-worth come from asserting themselves and resisting destructive temptations. D.A.R.E. teaches them not just that they should refuse drugs and alcohol, and not participate in violent activities, but how to do so. D.A.R.E. goes beyond traditional drug abuse and violence prevention programs. It gives children the skills needed to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that cause them to experiment with drugs or become involved in gangs or violent activities. D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world…

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Substance abuse has been a topic of concern all over the world. But, the Western counties are often noted to have major cases of drug abuse among adolescents compared to orthodox societies. Addiction to hallucinogens has range of implications that affect physical, psychological, sexual and spiritual aspects of an individual.…

    • 566 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    First reason can be because of simple independence. This stage is when kids are coming into their own. They are now able to make certain decisions for themselves that does not involve their parents. This level of independence makes them feel that they are mature and can make the best choices for themselves. They make the choice to use substances because they may feel they are mature enough to handle it. When in all actuality they are not able to handle it. Oftentimes adolescents choose to take substances to feel or appear more like an adult. One privilege and sign of becoming an adult is when one turns twenty one and is legally able to drink. Someone can misguidedly come to the conclusion that drinking alcohol means they are…

    • 1575 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A fundamental component of eliminating teenage drug use is education. Society must work together to educate everyone on teenage drug abuse. Drug education should start in schools, particularly among pre-teens as a precautionary measure. Teens need to be well informed on all aspects of drugs. Two key areas of education should be the effects of drugs on the human body, and the effects of drugs on person future. Teenagers need to be taught how seriously dangerous drugs are. It is vital that teens are taught that drugs can cause physical, mental, and emotional issues amongst many other issues. If a teenager overdoses on any drug they could wind up in the hospital, or worse – dead. Not only can drugs harm a teenager’s body, drugs can harm a teenager’s future. Frequently, teens who use drugs become addicted and spiral out of control. A teenager hooked on drugs might drop out of school or end up in jail. Teenagers need to be educated on the legal effects of drugs. For instance, if a teenager gets caught with drugs of any kind, the teen could face substantial jail time, and teenagers need to know this. Similarly, parents, teachers, and adults in general should also be educated on teenager drug abuse. Many parents and teachers are clueless to the drug abuse going on right under their nose. Educational classes should be offered to parents of teenagers to…

    • 1042 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Substance abuse has become a major problem in today’s society. Every walk of life and every age group has had issues both direct and indirect in regards to substance abuse. One particular age group has had noted issues with drugs and alcohol. College students are especially vulnerable to the temptation of substance abuse while attempting to complete their studies. One particular drug has become a perennial problem in the college communities due to the ease in which it can be acquired. Methamphetamine have caused numerous issues with addiction and derailment of academic goals for those in the 20-24 age group (otherwise known as college age).…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The end result of peer pressure can cause an impact on the academic performance in school. According to an article in the Green Haven Press, one reason why some of those students will go on to use is because as students age, pressure increases. Most commonly, the pressure to use begins at about middle school, although some students said their first encounters with drugs occurred when they were as young as 8. That exposure increases and is especially strong in high school, when parties become commonplace and kids are more rebellious. (Dudley, 2002) Many teens said the need to belong underlies the appeal of drug use. High schooler Joe Felion of St. Paul wrote, "If you ask an adolescent what the most important thing to them is, the answer will probably not be family, school or religion. More often than not the answer will be friends.... It is no surprise that they will do anything to fit in." (Dudley,…

    • 1269 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    PARA. 1: There are approximately one in four children in the United States that is exposed to alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence in the family. While there are other children living in families in which there is illicit drug abuse. Evidence shows that children who have experiences with parents who have drug or alcohol problems tend to have behavioral problems or abuse either substance themselves. (Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, 2003) Children with an addicted parent are also at a higher-than-average risk for problems in school. Some effects that are caused by having parents like these are emotional disturbances such as depression, and anxiety. When children grow up in a home that is unstable, or where they witness their parents under the influence of alcohol or drugs it can scar a child and cause emotional damage as well (Sheahan, 2008). Children with an addicted parent or parents also have a high risk of dropping out of school early due to indirect drug exposure that causes effects on the ability to learn effectively. In some cases it causes learning disabilities. Additionally, children may develop mental health problems that cause them to lose interest in their education (Sheahan, 2008). In one study, 41% of addicted parents reported that at least one of their children repeated a grade in school, 19% were involved…

    • 1056 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Drugs and alcohol are substances prevalent in North American society, and their prevalence effects both youth and adults. When something effects young people in a society, it is bound to come into the halls of schools and classrooms, as well as homes. The authors of a book titled, “Classrooms Under the Influence” says it this way: “In every community and in each and every school, there are classrooms under the influence of chemicals, alcohol, extreme lifestyles, and out of control behavior of students, parents, stepparents, guardians, siblings, and others within the home” (Powell, Zehm, & Kottler, 1995, p. viii). This quote may sound slightly extreme, but it addresses how drugs and alcohol effect not only those who use them, but the…

    • 3549 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Substance abuse is a major health issue that could lead to potential health problems later on in life due to continues use. According to the Risk Behavior Survey (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) “more than 25% of students nation wide have been offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school property.” Adolescence who abuse substances are at risk of long- term impairment of cognitive ability and memory, lack of motivation and self –discipline, and have reduced school attendance. (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007) While some professional organizations may disagree with randomly drug testing students, some schools who have adopted student drug testing are hoping it will serve as a deterrent and give students a reason to resist peer pressure to take drugs, a reason to quit if they have started using drugs, and finally a way to get help for their drug problem if they can not quit.…

    • 469 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays