The Issues with Substance Abuse

Blog #1

Today teens are turning to drugs and alcohol as a means of entertainment, acceptance from peers, and an escape from the difficulties associated with growing up. Abuse of these substances has grown tremendously in recent years and the public's awareness of the problem is following. Substance abuse among the teen population is a serious societal problem due to the associated costs, which include health care, crime, accidents, psychological damage, deaths, etc.

Taking risks and experimentation is part of the teenage lifestyle and the growing up process, however, the age at which these dangerous activities are beginning is of concern. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), alcohol, the most commonly abused drug, is usually tried between the ages of 12- to 17- years old. A survey by the AAP reports that 25% of 8th graders, 40% of 10th graders, and 53% of high school seniors admitted to drinking in the last month. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that by the end of high school approximately 93% of teenagers had experimented with alcohol and 66% with illicit drugs. These behaviors raise concerns for society because teens are not as capable of understanding the real dangers. Delayed reactions, impaired judgment, and violent behavior can lead to premature or unsafe sexual practices, car accidents, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), alcohol poisoning, or overdoses.

According to the NIDA, growing trends in teen substance abuse include a significant rise in the recreational use of prescription drugs, such as Vicodin, as well as opiates, tranquilizers, barbiturates, sedatives, and amphetamines. Additionally, the teen perception of the risks involved with serious drugs, like hallucinogens, marijuana, and inhalants has decreased.

With the current state of the economy the American public is justified in its concerns regarding societal costs and health care. The National Center for Health Statistics estimated that the medical costs alone for drug abuse comes to $60 billion, while the costs for alcohol reach $100 billion. These numbers do not even include the costs associated with the criminal behaviors which accompany substance abuse.