Teenage Drug Abuse

Essay by jamaycasunshineUniversity, Bachelor'sB+, September 2008

download word file, 6 pages 4.5

What is the Problem?How should the issue of teenage drug abuse be handled? Prescription drugs are very popular amongst teenagers. Some teenagers have been known to abuse prescriptions drugs and possibly become addicted to them at a very early age. Some teens have turned to drugs for various reasons which may include peer pressure, family relationships, or sometimes wanting to relieve themselves of stress. There is no real answer to explain exactly why teenagers decide to abuse prescription drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse's 2003 Monitoring the Future survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders found that 10.5 percent of 12th graders reported using Vicodin for non-medical reasons and 4.5 percent of 12th graders reported using OxyContin without a prescription. (Volkov, 2007) Teenage drug abuse has sometimes caused many family relationships to change. It can also cause a noticeable change in their academic performance. In some cases the abuse of drugs by teenagers can also cause some type of criminal behavior.

In this paper I will discuss some of what may cause teenage drug abuse and what we can do to handle the issue.

Analyze the ProblemAccording to an article found on the Thompson Gale Opposing Viewpoints section of the University of Phoenix web site, prescription drug abuse among teenagers and young adults is rising at such an alarming rate that researchers are examining the cause. Contrary to popular belief, the reason is not always just to get high. Studies have shown that many college students with high academic standards medicate themselves to alleviate the stress. Researchers have also found that many students who take prescription drugs illicitly do so to relieve pain rather than to feel euphoric. Regardless of their motivation for abusing prescription drugs, young people are at a great risk of becoming addicted...