Teenagers, drugs, and peer pressure
During these years, adolescents are faced with the difficult tasks of discovering their self identity, clarifying their sexual roles, asserting independence, learning to cope with authority and searching for goals that would give their lives meaning. One of the most important reasons for teenage drug usage is peer pressure. Peer pressure represents social influences that […]
During these years, adolescents are faced with the difficult tasks of discovering their self identity, clarifying their sexual roles, asserting independence, learning to cope with authority and searching for goals that would give their lives meaning.
One of the most important reasons for teenage drug usage is peer pressure. Peer pressure represents social influences that effect adolescents, it can have a positive or a negative effect, depending on the person’s social group.
In today’s high schools, availability and variety of drugs are widespread. There is a demand for drugs and the supply is plentiful. Since drugs are easily accessible, a natural interest in them may develop. For instance, a person who may hear about drug experiences, or reactions from drug usage like. “Hey the weed that he sold us was cool, I got stoned man”, may be misleading. This response may create a sense of curiosity and may convince the person to try drugs themselves. Many teenagers today believe that their first use of drugs is safe. However, even though there is no instant addiction with the first try, youngsters tend to experiment further. Soon a person could actively seek the euphoric effects of drugs. The final and the most disastrous stage is when a person needs drugs in order to function adequately. Therefore availability, curiosity and experimentation could result in drug addiction among teenagers.
One of the most devastating side effects of drug addiction and abuse is depression. Depression is the result of chemical imbalance, environmental influence, or a combination of both. Using heavy and very highly addictive drugs as heroin, cocaine, opium and many other will cause sudden mood changes, deterioration of the immune system, nervous breakdowns, unusual flares of temper and many other side effects. Besides physical side effects, drug addiction can create problems in a person’s social circles. The person may run into many conflicts with his family and friends, resulting in a desire for isolation.
According to previous studies, drug addiction is the result of 3 “I’s”. Teenagers may think of their problems as Inescapable, Interminable and Intolerable. Life may seem bleak and miserable. Seeing no way out, feeling lonely and no prospects for improvement leads to depression. Many studies have found that drugs are a contributing factor to suicide. Using drugs may reduce inhibitions and impair judgement, suicide is a possibility. As one statistic, illustrate 70% of all young people who attempted suicide used drugs.
Illegal drugs, for example, weed, speed, acid, or ecstasy have always been a problem among the younger generation, the problems get even more serious if it involves additive substances such as cocaine.
The most commonly seen illegal drug around teens is Ecstasy, or generally called “E”. E’s are usually patronized in rave parties. People take E’s and dance overnight. The academic name for E is hallucinogenic stimulant. It generally affects the concentration of the brain, and it can change one’s mood, sleep, sexual behavior, body temperature and appetite. The sensation sight, sound and touch are enhanced, that’s why it’s usually used at discos and parties. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to “get high” and about three to four hours to wear off. Side effects include heart and blood pressure problems, blurred vision, chills and sweating.
Another popular drug is LSD , which is a little similar to E. It alters a person’s perception of sights, sounds, and touch etc, a person that has taken LSD might see or hear things that don’t exist. Known as “acid”, this drug is extremely powerful, one teaspoon can contain up to 25000 doses. Only 200 micrograms is needed for one trip. The danger of LSD is that the effect of LSD is extremely unpredictable since it depends on a person’s physical conditions and also his/her mood which clmight result in, for instance, inducing violent and hazardous behavior.
The other most popular thing is marijuana, or weed. It is usually imported from other African countries, Asia, South America and Caribbean, but homegrown weed is getting more and more popular because of the sophistication. The most common effects are talkativeness, cheerfulness, relaxation and greater appreciation of sound and color. It’s been said that smoking weed improves performance of creative works such as arts or writing, it also makes skin, hearing and sight very sensitive. Some immediate physical effects of weed use include a faster heartbeat, increase in pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and dry throat. The drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter your sense of time and reduce the ability to do things that require concentration, quick reactions and effective co-ordination. A common bad reaction to marijuana is anxiety attacks. People describe this reaction as an extreme fear of “losing control,” which causes panic.
The problems of teenage drug use, depression and suicide are evident in our society. These are very real and threatening issues that have to be dealt with. Now in the 21st century we have to face the problems of our future generations. There are many non-profit organizations that help teenagers to cope with drug use. There are help lines, community services that offer information about drugs, and individual counseling that are available almost in every educational institution. There is help available to those who seek it.
Maga writes from Glisten International Academy, Abuja.