Use of Illegal Drugs among Youths - Essay Example

Use of Illegal Drugs among Youths Introduction Today’s youth are faced with many serious challenges. Use of illegal drugs is one major problem, which affects them, their general well-being and their families as a whole. Understanding why a teenager engages in the use of drugs is fundamental in the long process of ending the menace. This is a description of illegal drug use among youths and what can be done to combat the vice. Drugs destroy whole communities and individual lives through generation of crime and the undermining of human development. Young people’s development and freedom is destroyed by the effects of drug abuse. Isralowitz and Myers note that the democracy and independence of entire states, hope and dignity of people and their families is threatened by drug use (3). Though there has been some success in curbing the growth and spread of illicit drugs, some negative consequences like the continuous growth of black market for the drugs threaten the fight. Despite the efforts towards the youth, the drugs are very easily obtainable, thus frustrating the efforts. The writers note that estimations show that 8% of the population in the USA currently uses drugs. Among industrialized countries, teenagers in the United States possess the highest illicit drug use rates. In a study done by Murphey et al. in 2011, 50% of teenagers interviewed admitted to have used an illicit drug at least once by the time they were in 12th grade. 8% of 12th graders admitted to using inhalants or hallucinogens while 46% reportedly had used marijuana at least once during their lifetime (2). The substances that were reported to have been most frequently used by adolescents in grades 8-12 were inhalants, marijuana, hallucinogens and amphetamines. Thus, drug use tops the list for social issues that command a lot of public attention and concern. Illicit drugs can be categorized in several groups. Depressants such as alcohol, which impairs judgment, lowers inhibitions and affects brain function, memory, reflexes, coordination and vision (Isralowitz and Myers 7). Hallucinogens such as cannabis, popularly known as hashish, marijuana, weed, ganja or pot, which grows wildly and can either be eaten or smoked. It is the most commonly used. Users of hallucinogens often have distorted reality perceptions including time, distance and direction and often exhibit violent, erratic and unpredictable behavior. Narcotics include heroin, opium, morphine and codeine. They are generally smoked, injected intravenously or subcutaneously or sniffed. The writers note that subcutaneous injection has a slow absorption but longer-lasting effects. Stimulants include cocaine, nicotine, methamphetamines and amphetamines. Amphetamines are stimulants for the central nervous system, causing a sense of confidence, euphoria and a heightened arousal state. Cocaine is taken either through injections or nose spraying and causes muscle spasms, heightened heart rate, respiratory and digestive problems and convulsions (Isralowitz and Myers 10). The three illicit drugs that have defined the illicit drug use for a long time are heroin, cocaine and cannabis (hashish and marijuana). There are several risk factors associated with teenage drug use. Family risk factors include poor parent supervision, where parents are inadequate in being in touch with their teenagers’ activities and engagements (Ali, Mouton, and Zeng 24). For instance, parents should always be aware of what their teenage children are doing for instance after-school hours. Teenagers from broken homes or who have experienced divorce are more at risk than those who have not, as the transitions involved often cause psychological difficulties. These difficulties may push the teenager to drug use. Poor communication between parents and teenagers leaves a gap in the teachings of the teenager, in that the teenager may not be free to share problems with the parents and may result to drug use. The writers point out that where parents have a history of drug abuse, the teenager will most likely take up the vice too, as opposed to those whose parents have no history. Family factors thus largely influence the teenager, as the family is an important point of contact during growth and development. Additionally, individual factors that may influence a teenager to drug use and abuse include aggressive and negative behavior that develops during early childhood. This includes anti social behavior and rebellion which is exhibited in lack of interest in schoolwork and even nonconformity to the community’s norms and laws. Ali, Mouton and Zeng note that low perception of the dangers of drug use and abuse may also lead the teenager to engage in the vice (24). Emotional and social difficulties may lead to unstable emotions and depression, which is often associated with drug use and abuse, as the teenager seeks something to calm their emotions. Thrill-seeking behaviors often lead teenagers to seek excitement and stimulation. The more stimulated and excited they get the more they want. Peer pressure is also a risk factor, as teenagers may have come from good family backgrounds but get engaged with friends who engage in drug abuse and negatively influence the teenager. Miscellaneous factors include low socioeconomic status and level of education. Extreme social and economic deprivation allows for regular use of illicit drugs (Ali, Mouton and Zeng 24). This is further aggravated by low levels of education. Living in a drug-use and high crime neighborhood together with ease of availability for the drugs may very much influence the teenager to indulge. There is a close relationship between drugs and crime in any locality. Controlling the supply and availability of these drugs would probably have the greatest impact on early experimenters or those that have never used. The effects of illicit drug use among teenagers can be devastating. For instance, there have been connections between motor vehicle accidents and drug use due to effects such as impaired vision. Risky sexual behaviors are also prevalent with teenagers who regularly use illicit drugs and alcohol. This is due to the fact that their use causes impaired judgment. In addition, diseases such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS are easily passed on from one drug user to another. This is especially so where the drug is taken through injections like heroin and cocaine, as the needles are shared. The mortality rate is high especially among those who use injections, due to the risk of overdose, homicide, suicide, illnesses and complications. Depending on the frequency of use, intake and amount taken, other effects include heart attack, lung failure and heart failure in the short term; lung and cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer and obesity in the long run. Many mental health disorders such as anxiety, paranoia, developmental delays, delusions, mood disturbances and depression have also been linked to illicit drug use (Murphey et al. 5). Where a teenager is pregnant, drug use affects both the fetus and mother, such as poor maternal health, low birth weight infants as well as premature and complicated deliveries. There are several ways by which the prevalence of illicit drugs among teenagers can be reduced. For parents, communication is key. Many times parents do not engage their adolescent children on a continuous basis, either because they are busy working or with other interests or the thought that they are invading their children’s privacy (Ali, Mouton and Zeng 24). Parents should work on ensuring that they maintain a caring and open relationship with their children, as teenagers who feel they can communicate and trust their parents will most likely adhere to family rules. Murphey et al. note that parents should always communicate their expectations clearly and also consequences of not honoring these expectations (5). Adolescents should be taught about the effects of drug use and parents should regularly check in with them to make sure they make safe choices, as well as know their children’s friends. Parents should particularly advice their teenagers on the type of friends they should or should not have so as to avoid negative peer influence and strive to instill confidence, good morals and principality in them. A key important note is that teenagers should be provided with a platform whereby they are free to communicate their problems with their parents so as to get an amicable solution before it is too late. Furthermore, it is important that teachers, parents and administrators are educated on signs of illicit drug use so as to identify teenagers using drugs so as to treat them early enough. Typical signs of illicit drug use include weight loss, mood swings, disengagement in class and poor grades, increase or onset of problem behaviors and having drug paraphernalia such as needles (Murphey et al. 6). Some signs are associated with specific drugs, for instance, showing signs of uncoordination or dizzy, with bloodshot eyes for marijuana; and muscle weakness, poor coordination, nausea and unintelligible or slurred speech for inhalants. When selecting the most appropriate treatment, other problems accompanying drug use such as delinquent behavior and mental illness and conditions such as depression should be considered, so that the teenager gains a wholesome treatment. Conclusion It is evident that illicit drug use especially among teenagers is a serious problem. It collectively affects them, their families and the community at large. However, all is not lost as there are preventive measures, the most important being communication with their teachers and parents. Treatment should also be sought for those already engaged and follow-up done to prevent re-lapse. Works Cited Ali, S., Charles Mouton and Qiang Zeng. “Early Detection of Illicit Drug Use in Teenagers.” US National Library of Medicine. 8.12: 24-28. Web. 14 Mar. 2014 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257983/ Isralowitz, R., and Myers P. Illicit Drugs. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Print. Murphey, D., et al. “Adolescent Health Highlight: Use of Illicit Drugs.” Child Trends. 2013.11. Web. 14 Mar. 2014 http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Illicit-drug-use-Highlight-9.13.pdf Read More