TEEN DRUG ABUSE

Teenagers are always bombarded with peer pressures. The youth of today is becoming more and more curious about many things, including vices and drugs. The aspect of drugs and teenagers has been studied by experts for many years and leads up to various studies about possible causes and of course unique approaches to help the teenager get back to a sober life and live a more productive life as a growing individual. The youth sector is rapidly becoming affected by drug abuse, with deaths on prescription medicines and violence caused by drugs directly or indirectly.

Anabolic steroids are most popular for those students who aim to increase their performance in sports or other related fields. These drugs also speeds up muscle build up but it affects the brain, alters its function, affecting overall cognition. It also weakens the body from within. Therefore, the strong look is only on the outside.

Prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Valium and painkillers are the most commonly abused prescription drugs by teenagers. However, being prescription drugs, it is necessary to note that these are only used with the guidance of the doctor as to how much the doses should be. Taking too much Oxycontin can result to complications in breathing and result to death. Taking multiple prescription medications can result to lowered heart rate and lung function, resulting to death. Too much prescription stimulants can result to elevated body temperature and heart rate that could result to seizures and heart failure.

MDMA or ecstasy is a popular drug that has emerged as a potent euphoric substance in the 1970s and has become more popular from the 80s until now. MDMA affects the serotonin levels of the brain and gives the person a lightly stimulant but more importantly, hallucinogenic effects. This is also used by some college students since it helps them lose appetite, forget about sleeping and last a couple of days on that state. However, the results can be quite apparent on the physical aspect and the mental aspect. Frequent use of MDMA can result to tolerance, therefore seeking more doses or a combination of more potent drugs.

From young kids starting from the 5th grade to high school, there is a necessity to guide them and help them in understanding the facts about drug abuse, the results and the fatal consequences. Families, the schools and the whole community need to work together to secure a healthier environment to protect the children from such conditions.