Teen Drug Abuse

Teen drug abuse is a subject that has been receiving heavy media coverage recently. With the explosion of drugs such as ecstasy and meth on the scene, many teens find the temptation of experimentation with these drugs hard to resist. Teenagers may be involved with legal or illegal drugs in various ways. Experimentation with drugs during adolescence is common. Unfortunately, teenagers often don’t see the link between their actions today and the consequences tomorrow. They also have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune to the problems that others experience.

Using alcohol and tobacco as a teen increases the risk of using other drugs later. Some teens will experiment and stop, or continue to use occasionally without significant problems. Others will begin to abuse the drugs they once used only recreationally, moving on to more harmful drugs and causing significant harm to themselves and possibly others.

Adolescence is a time for trying new things. A teen may abuse drugs for many reasons including: curiosity, because it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up, and to fit in. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems. A survey taken in 1995 showed that two-thirds of all the 12th grade students interviewed said that they felt that they had to choose whether or not to use drugs before they graduated from high school. In studies done in 1998 and 1999, 56 percent of 12 to 17 year olds reported that marijuana was easy to get and 72 percent of this group reported that alcohol was very easy to obtain. By the time they are 17 years old, 56 percent of adolescents state that they know a drug dealer.

Among the substances abused are: alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, "club drugs" (ecstasy, etc.), stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, prescription drugs, and steroids.

• Drugs that Teens are Abusing:
  • Prescribed medications (such as Ritalin and OxyContin)
  • Inhalants: Known by such street names as huffing, sniffing, and wanging. The dangerous habit of getting high by inhaling the fumes of common household products is estimated to claim the lives of more than a thousand children each year. Many other young people, including some first-time users, are left with serious respiratory problems and permanent brain damage.
  • Over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications (such as Coricidin)
  • Marijuana: About one half of the people in the United States have used marijuana, many are currently using it, and some will require treatment for marijuana abuse and dependence.
  • Stimulants: The possible long-term effects include tolerance and dependence, violence and aggression, and malnutrition due to suppression of appetite. Crack, a powerfully addictive stimulant, is the term used for a smokeable form of cocaine. In 1997, an estimated 1.5 million Americans age 12 and older were chronic cocaine users.
  • Club drugs: This term refers to drugs being used by teens and young adults at all-night dance parties such as "raves" or "trances," dance clubs, and bars. MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol (Rophies), ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD are some of the club or party drugs gaining popularity. Because some club drugs are colorless, tasteless, and odorless, they can be added unobtrusively to beverages by individuals who want to intoxicate or sedate others. In recent years, there has been an increase in reports of club drugs used to commit sexual assaults.
  • Depressants: These are drugs used medicinally to relieve anxiety, irritability, and tension. There is a high potential for abuse and, combined with alcohol, effects are heightened and risks are multiplied.
  • Heroin: Several sources indicate an increase in new, young users across the country who are being lured by inexpensive, high-purity heroin that can be sniffed or smoked instead of injected. Heroin has also been appearing in more affluent communities.

   

• Warning Signs of Teen Drug Abuse
  • Physical: fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.
  • Emotional: personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, depression, and a general lack of interest.
  • Family: starting arguments, breaking rules, withdrawing from the family.
  • School: decreased interest, negative attitude, drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems.
  • Social: new friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, and changes to less conventional styles in dress and music.

Most parents would agree with the statement that children should not do drugs. But when it comes to talking to their teens about the dangers of drug abuse, many neglect to broach the subject. "A don't ask, don't tell" policy is often put into place, either intentionally or from not knowing how to approach teens in a straightforward and effective manner about this contentious issue.

Experts in teen drug abuse claim that parents are the principal influence on their teenager's attitudes towards drug use. Educating teens about drugs and the problems that accompany drug abuse will help them to develop a healthy stance on drugs and will provide them with the knowledge to make good decisions in the future.

• Do you want to talk to your teens about drug use but are unsure how to start? We have compiled a list of tips from a number of experts that will get you headed in the right direction.
  • Educate yourself - Find out about the issues. Check with local schools, agencies, and information services for the resources you will need. Find books at the local library. The more informed you are, the easier it will be to discuss the issues.
  • Be accessible and open-minded - The idea is to open a dialogue. Listen to what your teens have to say. Ask questions and do not judge.
  • Be clear - Your main message should be clearly stated. "Don't use drugs" should be the core theme of your discussions.
  • Keep it relaxed - Avoid the "We have to talk" approach. Relax and talk about it over supper or when you're driving to the mall. If you are casual, it will help your children to be more honest and willing to talk.
  • Grab opportunities - Use teachable moments. If you have just seen a TV show or poster that discusses the issue, use this to allow the discussion to come up naturally.
  • Don't panic - You may hear some things that you don't like. Keep the dialogue open. Try to avoid lecturing while giving your opinion and explain the reasons behind your thinking. The goal of discussing drugs with your teen is to give them a foundation for making wise decisions about drugs on their own.
  • Discuss peer pressure - Talk about ways to say no and how to deal with the pressures to conform and fit in.

Practice what you preach - Kids imitate adults. If you abuse drugs yourself, no matter what you tell your teens, your actions speak louder than words. Avoid being a hypocrite and perhaps it is time that you examine your own problem first. The key points that you want to remember are to keep the dialogue open, continuous, and honest. Ensure that your teens know that you are accessible and willing to talk about anything. The topics that are often the most uncomfortable to discuss are often the ones that should be discussed. The initial awkwardness will soon subside and you can feel secure that you have prepared your teen for making good decisions in the future.

• Statistics on Teen Drug Abuse:
  • Drug and substance abuse among teenagers, is substantial. Among youth age 12 to 17, about 1.1 million meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs, and about 1 million are treated for alcohol dependency.
  • Annual use of any illicit drug by high school seniors peaked at 54.2 percent in 1979, declined to a low of 27.1 percent in 1992, then climbed steadily to 42.4 percent in 1997. Seniors use of any illicit drug has been stable since then.
  • Annual marijuana use among high school seniors crested in 1979 at 50.8 percent, then declined to 21.9 percent in 1992, before rising steadily to 38.5 in 1997. Marijuana use by seniors has remained steady since then.
  • Annual cocaine use more than doubled among high school seniors from 5.6 percent in 1975 to 13.1 percent in 1985 then declined sharply to 4.9 percent in 1996. Seniors cocaine use has been stable since then.
  • Heroin use always has been relatively low among school children. However, in recent years, the availability of cheap, high-purity heroin that enables users to get high by snorting the drug rather than injecting it has contributed to heroin use approximately doubling among high school seniors from 0.4 percent in 1991 to 1.0 percent in 1998.
  • Marijuana, cocaine, and heroin use bottomed out in the early 1990s but has since risen among children at all grade levels. MTF figures for 1997 and 1998 suggest this trend toward increased illicit drug use is leveling off and may be in the process of reversing.