DRUG

ABUSE
AMONG THE
YOUTH
AWARENESS
BOOKLET
By Eman Malik
Summary
Drug abuse continues to emerge as a strategy among youth to
cope with the problems of unemployment, neglect, violence
and sexual abuse. At the same time, there is considerable
abuse of drugs among socially integrated young people, in
particular in the industrialized world. This may be attributed
in part to the fact that significant portions of the world’s youth
population are being exposed to a culture that appears to be
more tolerant towards the use of drugs. The data available
present a situation of concern in terms of the abuse of drugs
among young people in almost every region of the world.
Lifetime prevalence rates of abuse of cannabis is high in many
regions and is on the increase. Abuse of amphetamine-type
stimulants is diffused and abuse of “ecstasy”, while stabilizing
at a high level in some western European countries, is rising
in others and spreading to other regions. There are high
variations in the prevalence of cocaine, but it is reported to be
increasing again among youth in the United States of
America. Injection of heroin is expanding among youth in
eastern Europe, while there are signs of a rise in abuse of
heroin by smoking (United States and western Europe). Abuse
of inhalants is common and remains a serious problem for
many young people. The changing perception of cannabis
among young people, the increasing abuse of amphetamine-
type stimulants and the widespread abuse of other drugs
indicate a need for innovative approaches and the adaptation
of prevention strategies aimed at reducing the demand for
illicit drugs.
CONTENT

1. Summary
2. Introduction
3. World situation in regards to drug
abuse
4. Drug abuse situation (Youth)
5. Drug abuse among youth
6. Common drugs that teen abuse
7. Laws of drug abuse
8. Response to drug abuse among youth
INTRODUCTION
Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of
certain chemicals for the purpose of creating
pleasurable effects on the brain. The use of illegal
drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter
drugs for purposes other than those for which they
are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. Drug
abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-
related problems.

WORLD SITUATION IN REGARDS TO

DRUG ABUSE
Among Americans aged 12 years and older, 31.9 million
are current illegal drug users (used within the last 30
days).

 11.7% of Americans 12 and over use illegal drugs.

 53 million or 19.4% of people 12 and over have used
illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within
the last year.
  If alcohol and tobacco are included, 165 million or
60.2% or of Americans aged 12 years or older
currently abuse drugs (i.e., used within the last 30
days). 
 139.8 million Americans 12 and over drink alcohol.
 14.8 million or 10.6% of them have an alcohol use
disorder.
 58.8 million people use tobacco.
 31.9 million use illegal drugs.
 8.1 million of 25.4% of illegal drug users have a drug
disorder.
 2 million people or 24.7% of those with drug
disorders have an opioid disorder; this includes
prescription pain relievers or “pain killers” and
heroin).
Youth drug abuse trends may provide clues about the future
public health as well as the efficacy of educational initiatives.

 12.78% of all 12- to 17-year-olds report using marijuana in the

last year.

 0.42% of all 12- to 17-year-olds report using cocaine in the last

year.

 0.17% report using methamphetamines.

 0.02% used heroin.

 2.52% report misusing pain relievers.

  788,000 teenagers aged 12- to 17-years-old met the criteria for
Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD).

 This age group is nearly twice as likely to suffer from IDUD

than they are to meet the criteria for AUD.

 7.0% of 12th graders have abused tranquilizers.

 7.5% have abused hallucinogens.

 5.9% have used LSD.

DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUTH

Half of all new drug users are under the age of 18.
Experimentation plays the biggest role in teenage drug use.
However, experimentation is a fact of life — and just because
a teen has tried drugs or alcohol doesn’t mean they will
become an addict. It’s more important to understand why
some teens are tempted to experiment in the first place.
Common reasons teens abuse drugs include:

 Curiosity
 Peer pressure
 Stress
 A desire to escape
The majority of adults with an addiction first experimented
with drugs before they turned 21. The good news is that the
rates of teenage drug abuse have been declining. 
Common Drugs That Teens Abuse
The drugs most commonly abused by teens aren’t much
different from those abused by adults. But the reasons for
abuse may be different, as teens often abuse a substance based
on its accessibility. Teens are also more likely to take
excessive amounts of drugs and alcohol because of how they
perceive the risks and dangers associated with use.
 Alcohol
Alcohol is the substance most commonly abused by
teens. The social acceptance of drinking among people of
legal drinking age can lead many teens to view alcohol as
relatively harmless. Research suggests teens are more
likely to binge drink; this may have to do with the fact
that their impulse control hasn’t fully developed.
Approximately 20% of 12th graders reported binge
drinking in 2014. Nearly 40% had used alcohol in the
last month.
Binge drinking increases the risk of addiction in people
of any age, and the teenage brain is more susceptible to
addiction. Talking to teens about theses risks can curb
underage drinking.
 Marijuana
Regular Marijuana users most often start during their
adolescence. The perceptions of Marijuana use among
teens is changing; most high school seniors do not think
smoking Marijuana occasionally carries any risk. More
than 20% of teens report having used Marijuana at least
once in the past month.
  Prescriptions & Over-The-Counter Medications
Many prescription drugs have intoxicating effects, and
this is no secret to most teens. Narcotic Painkillers like
OxyContin and Benzodiazepines like Xanax produce
pleasurable effects that teens may seek out. These
substances come with a high potential for abuse and
overdose.
Nearly 40% of teens who abused prescription medication
obtained the drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinet.
Teens may also abuse over-the-counter medications. The
substance Dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough
Suppressant, is found in many common cold and flu
medicines. DXM can cause intoxicating effects in high
doses, and an overdose is a real possibility.

ROLE OF DRUG ABUSE AWARENESS

PRINCIPLE 1 - Prevention programs should enhance protective
factors and reverse or reduce risk factors.

 The risk of becoming a drug abuser involves the relationship

among the number and type of risk factors (e.g., deviant
attitudes and behaviors) and protective factors (e.g., parental
support).
 The potential impact of specific risk and protective factors
changes with age. For example, risk factors within the family
have greater impact on a younger child, while association with
drug-abusing peers may be a more significant risk factor for an
adolescent.
 Early intervention with risk factors (e.g., aggressive behavior
and poor self-control) often has a greater impact than later
intervention by changing a child’s life path (trajectory) away
from problems and toward positive behaviors.
  While risk and protective factors can affect people of all groups,
these factors can have a different effect depending on a
person’s age, gender, ethnicity, culture, and environment.

PRINCIPLE 2 - Prevention programs should address all forms of drug

abuse, alone or in combination, including the underage use of legal
drugs (e.g., tobacco or alcohol); the use of illegal drugs (e.g.,
marijuana or heroin); and the inappropriate use of legally obtained
substances (e.g., inhalants), prescription medications, or over-the-
counter drugs.

PRINCIPLE 3 - Prevention programs should address the type of drug

abuse problem in the local community, target modifiable risk factors,
and strengthen identified protective factors.

PRINCIPLE 4 - Prevention programs should be tailored to address

risks specific to population or audience characteristics, such as age,
gender, and ethnicity, to improve program effectiveness.

Prevention Planning
Family Programs

PRINCIPLE 5 - Family-based prevention programs should enhance

family bonding and relationships and include parenting skills;
practice in developing, discussing, and enforcing family policies on
substance abuse; and training in drug education and information.

Family bonding is the bedrock of the relationship between parents

and children. Bonding can be strengthened through skills training on
parent supportiveness of children, parent-child communication, and
parental involvement.

 Parental monitoring and supervision are critical for drug abuse

prevention. These skills can be enhanced with training on rule-
setting; techniques for monitoring activities; praise for
appropriate behavior; and moderate, consistent discipline that
enforces defined family rules.
  Drug education and information for parents or caregivers
reinforces what children are learning about the harmful effects
of drugs and opens opportunities for family discussions about
the abuse of legal and illegal substances.
 Brief, family-focused interventions for the general population
can positively change specific parenting behavior that can
reduce later risks of drug abuse.

School Programs

PRINCIPLE 6 - Prevention programs can be designed to intervene as

early as preschool to address risk factors for drug abuse, such as
aggressive behavior, poor social skills, and academic difficulties.

PRINCIPLE 7 - Prevention programs for elementary school children

should target improving academic and social-emotional learning to
address risk factors for drug abuse, such as early aggression,
academic failure, and school dropout. Education should focus on the
following skills

 self-control;
 emotional awareness;
 communication;
 social problem-solving; and
 academic support, especially in reading.;

PRINCIPLE 8 - Prevention programs for middle or junior high and

high school students should increase academic and social
competence with the following skills:

 study habits and academic support;

 communication;
 peer relationships;
 self-efficacy and assertiveness;
 drug resistance skills;
 reinforcement of anti-drug attitudes; and
 strengthening of personal commitments against drug abuse.
TALKING ABOUT TEEN DRUG ABUSE
You'll likely have multiple conversations with your teen
about drug and alcohol use. Choose times when you're
unlikely to be interrupted — and set aside phones. It's
also important to know when not to have a conversation,
such as when you're angry with your child, you aren't
prepared to answer questions, or your child is drunk or
high.
To talk to your teen about drugs:
 Ask your teen's views. Avoid lectures. Instead,
listen to your teen's opinions and questions about
drugs. Assure your teen that he or she can be
honest with you.
 Discuss reasons not to use drugs. Avoid scare
tactics. Emphasize how drug use can affect the
things that are important to your teen — such as
sports, driving, health and appearance.
 Consider media messages. Social media,
television programs, movies and songs can
glamorize or trivialize drug use. Talk about what
your teen sees and hears.
 Discuss ways to resist peer
pressure. Brainstorm with your teen about how
to turn down offers of drugs.
 Be ready to discuss your own drug use. Think
about how you'll respond if your teen asks about
your own drug use. If you chose not to use drugs,
explain why. If you did use drugs, share what the
experience taught you.