Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Teenagers - Research Paper Example

Drug and Alcohol abuse in Teenagers Introduction Undeniably, drugs and alcohol use in teenagers is major problem among American youths today. Many students continue to loose their lives, discontinue their education, and become social misfits in our society. The government continue to spend millions of dollars to offer health services to victims of alcohol and drug abuse not to mention the many who die form road carnage from drunk drivers. It is evident that drug usage and alcohol consumption is now acceptable in our institutions and homes. What is the parents role in this? It is evident that parents have failed in their role of protecting and giving proper guidance to teenagers, leaving them in the hands of their peers. This paper discusses the extent of drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers examining some of the causes, effects, and solutions. Statistics A recent survey by National Institute on Drug abuse (NIDA) reveals increasing percentages especially on marijuana. In the year 2011, 7.2% of the 8th graders, 17.6% of 10th graders, 22% of 12th graders used marijuana in the past month. Previously, the percentages were a bit lower at 5.7%, 14.2%, and 18.8% respectively. The daily usage has also gone up with 6.6% of 12 graders using marijuana daily (“NIDA” web). Over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers and stimulants are drugs abused by teenagers. There is a significant drop in the usage of cocaine especially crack cocaine. In the year 2000 and 2011, while eighth graders dropped their cocaine usage from 8.1% to 7%, 10th graders dropped cocaine usage from 5.7% to 4.5%. 12th graders dropped their usage by 0.4%. Other drugs like heroin did not have a significant change in usage (“NIDA” web). The research also revealed that cigarette smoking was loosing popularity in teenagers with many turning to marijuana. In addition, alcohol usage among teenagers has declined greatly from 1990s to the years 2011. However, in recent years, the rate is on the rise with more students participating in binge drinking. It is a pity to see many young female teenagers pick on drinking and smoking and indulge themselves more than male teenagers. Causes First, parents have a big role to play when it comes to drug and alcohol consumption. Teenagers look up to their parents for guidance and mentorship. Many parents in America are so busy working on their careers and jobs and thus neglect their children at an early age. Such kids fall into the hands of their peers and pick up their behaviours, which include drug abusing. Others parents have a habit of drinking and smoking inside the house with their children around. In fact, some keep alcohol in the fridges in their houses freely in a manner that children can access it at an early age. Therefore, it is no wonder that the number of teenagers who consume alcohol below the age of thirteen is high. Parents are also to blame for giving their children excess pocket money right form junior classes. This gives them a chance to party with their peers, places where they get introduced to drugs. Many broken marriages is a major cause of drug indulgence among teenagers since they lack proper guidance form both parents. (Gerstein 9-10). According to CASA survey, 70% of the students said that their parents guide their behaviours to the right or to the wrong (“CASA” web) Secondly, institutions are also to blame for accepting drug abuse and alcohol consumption as a normal habit. In high school, teenagers who drink still have access to drinks because they are loopholes where they sneak out of school to access alcohol. In other cases, workers collaborate to bring the students drugs and drinks to the school. On joining college, students already in the habit find a conducive environment where they can freely drink and abuse drugs. In addition, they have all the time because attending lectures is optional and any day can be a partying day. Arguably, students who use drugs and alcohol in high school use them twice as often-on joining colleges unless they get proper guidance. Bars are also readily available where teenagers on campus can access alcohol. Thirdly, teenagers drink because of loneliness and pressure they go through in their studies. Many studies away from home and thus the process of adapting to the new environment leave them with a vacuum. They also miss their parents and siblings and wonder how to make new friends. In the process, they fall in the hands of their peers already in drugs and they get involved. Effects Alcohol and drug abuse are costing us our best and brightest students. Many die form accidents as they drive when drunk or when under the influence of drugs like marijuana. Studies reveal that alcohol is addictive as well as other drugs in the market. Many teenagers are getting addicted to drugs and cannot survive without them. Dependency on drugs at an early age impairs thinking leading to poor grades. Poor grades can lead to discontinuation from college and loss of dreams and ambitions. Such students end up as social misfits and end up committing suicide. According to the journal of school health, adolescence suicide is real and a public health issue in America. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among the youths in the US. It is estimated that nearly three million Americans between ages 12 to 17 years contemplate suicide with at least 37% of this group actually attempting suicide (Dunn et al. 27). Another effect of drug and alcohol consumption is junior delinquency where teenagers get arrested at an early age when caught in drugs. In addition, to sustain the expensive life of drug abuse like heroin and cocaine, students need extra money than their parents give them. Therefore, they indulge in criminal activities to earn extra money for drugs and alcohol. While in it they meet with the long hand of the law and have to suffer for their mistakes. Conclusion Drug abuse among teenagers is growing by day and something need be done about it. Many students start drinking at an early age in the house and when in elementary schools from the pocket money given. Parental guidance has gone down as parents divorce or chase after jobs and careers. This fosters drug usage because as teenagers join college they fall under the influence of their peers and join in drinking sprees. Not all is lost; we can guide our teenagers back on the track through raising the pass mark to make them read harder. We can also request institutions to pass laws against drug and alcohol consumption while in school. This way we will stop loosing our best and brightest students. Works Cited “CASA.” “Wasting the best and The Brightest: Substance Abuse at America’s Colleges and Universities.” 2007. Web, 26 November 2012, “NIDA.” “Drug Facts: High School and Youth Trends.” 2012. Web, 05 December 2012. Dunn, Michael et al. “Substance Use Behaviour and Suicide Indicators among Rural Middle Gerstein, Dena. “The Relationship between Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among Adolescents” School Students.” Journal of School Health, 78.1 (2008): 26-31. Read More