ILLEGAL DRUG USE AND TEENS By: Laura Wait, FCS 215 April 12, 2004

Illegal drug use is up among teens and is continuing to rise at a rapid pace. The number one abused drug is marijuana among teens. Much of the drug use by teens starts by the teen wanting to fit in or be popular. Young people between the ages of 14 and 22 are more likely to connect drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and smoking marijuana to being popular. Young people believe that alcohol and drugs are easily accessible, which makes teens feel that doing these illegal drugs is no big deal. Marijuana use especially has gone up because of the easy accessibility, and because teens have the perception that marijuana use has no effect on the body. In fact, marijuana causes damage to the brain, to motor skills, to the heart and nervous system, and it is proven to be a gateway drug to more harmful drugs such as heroin and cocaine. To be cool or fit in teens feel that smoking pot and drinking alcohol at parties will make them well liked. But how would they feel going to jail for possesion of illegal drugs? No teen ever thinks this could happen to them, but they take the chance anyway. Is going to jail really worth being popular with others? I think if a teen thinks of illegal drug use in terms of going to jail, it may make them think twice.

For parents, teens desire to be well liked is not unusual, but may lead them to make poor choices. The hardest part for teens is resisting peer pressure. If your child wants to be part of the popular clique, it's very hard to say no when it comes to hard decisions. They feel if they say no, the popular clique won't accept them. A good way to help your teen is to get to know your teen's friends. As a parent, you should encourage your teen to bring their friends over so you can meet them. This will give you a feel for their friends personalities, behaviors , interests, and their family situations. You should let your teen know that they can be popular without resorting to illegal substance abuse. Be careful to let your teen make their own decisions and be who they are. Don't make snap judgements about them because of how they choose to dress, or by what their friends look like. Just be aware of unusual behaviors that may start, or if they stop haning out with their old friends and get all new friends. Make sure you talk to your teen, and always ask the five questions-who, what, where, when, and how.

References:

CNN.com/HEALTH-Illegal drug use rising among you

Family.samhsa.gov-Teach kids to choose friends wisely