Society Killed The Teenager: Drug Abuse

by Ciara M.

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Have you ever taken a survey and a question asks how likely are you to be influenced by your friends? Many of us say, “No, not likely at all” because we don’t want to become a follower. We like to define ourselves “independent” or the group leader who sets the tone. Many teens in the U.S. become under the influence just because they think smoking and drinking is cool, according to their friends. Teen drug and alcohol abuse has become very common, especially in young adults ages 15-24. By 8th grade year 15% of teens admitted to smoking marijuana. 50% of death in teens has been linked to drug and/or alcohol abuse. Alcohol is actually one of the top 3 causes of death in teens. Many teens feel that drugs and alcohol is a way that they can escape their problems or a way that they can feel good. The group of people I hang with agree that drinking is bad because of all the things they hear on TV about drinking and driving. That’s not the way they want to be remembered. Drugs, on the other hands, is okay. Or is it? What actually happens as these dangerous substances enter the body?

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Marijuana
Marijuana is the dried leaves, flower, or stem of a plant called Cannabis sativa, which includes delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Marijuana’s legal status is different throughout the country. It’s legal for recreational use in only two states, while it can only be used for medical purposes in 21 states. Marijuana is a common drug in the U.S. and is a drug that is often smoked or brewed. When this drug is smoked, THC spreads from the lungs to the brain and other organs that absorb Anandamide, a chemical that has an identical structure. Anandamide plays a big part in the endocannabinoid system. This system is often related in brain development. When this drug is abused, it can damage the brain’s development.

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MDMA
MDMA(methylenedioxymethamphetamine), also known as ecstasy or molly, is a drug most commonly in the form of a pill. MDMA will cause an increase in energy, euphoria, empathy, happiness and more. These effects last as long 3 to 6 hours. MDMA are commonly used at parties, especially at “raves.” MDMA also releases the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. These hormones are related to one’s feelings of love, lust, sexual arousal, and closeness. This usually leads to unprotected sex. As mentioned before the drug may cause an increase in energy which means an increase in heart rate and high blood pressure. Users may experience some the following symptoms: muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, chills, or sweating. This drug can interfere with the body’s ability to control its temperature. It can also cause kidney or heart failure in extreme cases. This drugs is particularly dangerous because it is not always sold “pure”. It may be combined with other harmful drugs, such as cocaine, caffeine, chemicals used in bath salt, etc.




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Cocaine
Cocaine can come in three different ways: powder, crack, and freebased. This drug can be ingested, snorted, and injected. There are five different phases when using cocaine. The first two phases are the short term side effects when you first use it. These two phases are known as the initial and middle crash.The initial crash comes immediately after taking the drug. This phase includes having symptoms of dysphoria, depression, anxiety, and agitation. The middle crash comes within 1 to 4 hours of taking the drug. During this phase, users may feel sleepy. The last three phases comes within days, weeks, months, or years. They might also be associated with people who soon become addicted to the drug. These people may feel sleepy, depressed, lazy, and they lack the ability to feel pleasure. Cocaine can also affect the body by constricting blood vessels, dilating pupils, increasing heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. People who use cocaine are also at risk for contracting HIV, whether it’s caused by sharing needles or being intoxicated by the drug that leads to sexual behavior. Long term users also experience severe paranoia and hallucinations.

These drugs are the most talked about drugs that have come up in conversations. Today, it may just be a hookah pens, but eventually it will be marijuana. Or it could start as snorting crushed up candy and turn into snorting cocaine. Reading research and talking about drug abuse can decrease the use of drugs by 42%. Make sure you always know the complete story behind drug abuse and the damage it can do to your health.



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Works Cited

1. "Alcohol and Drug Abuse." Alcohol and Drug Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July 2014. <http://www.aacap.org/aacap/Families_and_Youth/Glossary_of_Symptoms_and_Illnesses/Alcohol_and_Drug_Abuse.aspx>.

2. "Drugs of Abuse." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2014. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse>.

3. Gahlinger, Paul M.. Illegal drugs. U.S.: Sagebrush ;, 2001. Print.

4. "Teen Drug Abuse Facts | Teenage Alcohol Statistics." Teen Drug Rehabs. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2014. <http://www.teendrugrehabs.com/facts-and-stats/>.