The Effects of Drugs in Schools

                                                 The Effects of Drugs in Schools

                                                            Unit 8 Assignment

                                                            Kaplan University

Drug abuse and drug addiction are serious situations where an individual uses illegally obtained prescription drugs, illegal narcotics, or legally obtained prescription medications in a manner in which they are not supposed to. This is also extended to the usage of alcohol and tobacco products of underage juveniles. It has been reported that nearly one in five students drink alcohol, use drugs or smoke cigarettes during an average school day (Eileen FitzGerald August 23, 2012). Do this ever-growing issue, in order to help teens stay away from drugs, high schools should implement seminars on drugs, and the consequences of drug additions and abuse.

Drug abuse is serious problem in the United States, especially amongst teenagers. According to National Drug Intelligence Center (2003), 7.5 million American adolescents aged 12 to 17 used drugs at least once during their lifetime. Teens start to experiment with drugs from a young age and do not think about the negative consequences. It is believed that drug abuse and drug addiction may lead to health issues, including loss of alertness, which can cause serious injuries. It is also believed drugs affect a person’s mood, change their appearance, and can lead to depression. One of the major results of drug abuse in adolescents and school age children is a high risk of suicide. It is common for children in schools nowadays to abuse drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products. One of the major concerns is the extremely easy accessibility school age children have to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products. As parents and adults, you have a responsibility and an obligation to protect your children. By leaving alcohol, tobacco, or drugs available to your children, you not only are committing illegal acts by endangering your children, but are opening yourself up to all sorts of legal ramifications.

It is believed the majority of teenagers aged 12 through 17 have access to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco through friends and relatives. Moreover, there are other possible factors, such as peer pressure from friends, low self-appraisal, stress, and relationships with parents that can drive adolescents to drug abuse.

Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs. Any of them both legal and illegal can have immediate or long term health consequences on a person’s body. As reported by NIDA (2003) 40.2 percent of high school students had used marijuana. A study showed youths who used marijuana before 17 years of age indicated signs of a smaller brain and were usually smaller in height and weight compared to those who have not used marijuana prior to 17 years of age. In addition, marijuana can adversely affect someone’s memory, distort their perception of sound, time, and touch for short period of time. Prior to recent years, marijuana has been considered an illegal narcotic. However, as of recent it is being legalized in some states. But due to this legalization and the risks involved, it is strictly regulated and is not available for purchase by children under the age of 18. Marijuana is still considered illegal in the State of Texas, and is punishable by criminal penalties for possessing it.

School age adolescents abuse a variety of drugs and use other objects to get high as well. One such, is the use of inhalants. Adolescents do this by the usage of spray paint, glue, shoe polish, and even canned air. As a police officer in this community, I have been witness to such abuse and have caught children using canned air to get high in Wal-Mart parking-lot. One of which, almost overdosed and had to be transported to the emergency room by Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Thankfully, she was stabilized and lived. It Is believed that the regular use of inhalants can result in heart disease, liver and kidney damages (TeenDrugAbuse.us).

Other prominent drugs being used in schools include but are not limited to (ecstasy, cocaine, crack, speed, methamphetamine, pcp, marijuana or THC candies, and heroin). Legal drugs such as prescribed medications and alcohol are also popular in schools today. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (2005), 2.1 million teenagers abused prescription drugs. These types of drugs are most common amongst teens from 12 to 13 years of age. Mainly because they are easily accessible.

There are many factors that can lead to adolescent drug abuse and addiction. One of such and probably the most important is family and home relations. NIDA (2010) states, that a parent’s behavior towards their children is very important and can influence their children positively or negatively. This being said, as parents with school age children, we need to set the example and teach or children the differences between what is right and wrong. Also, relatives who use drugs can negatively affect the decisions and lifestyle of a child and can often raise the risk of a child’s addiction to drugs. In an adolescent’s mind, they are doing nothing wrong because parents or older family members are doing the same thing. Again, this goes back to as a parent or adult, you should be setting the example for our youth.

Another large influence on adolescents in schools is their friends, or peer groups. Melton (2010) states that when an adolescent’s peer group presents pressures of experimenting with drugs, individuals are often faced with a choice. “Be a part of this group or not”. Unfortunately, due to the need to fit in into today’s society, the peer group is more than likely to win. Moreover, it is believed by youths that using drugs is considered a measure of “cool”, and believe it may increase their status with their friends and peers. All this being said, keep an eye on your children. Be involved in their lives and know who they are hanging out with. Get to know their friends and their friend’s families. By doing this, you can find out if their friends are a positive or negative influence on your children’s lives and can take precautionary measures if needed.