Bunu et al Impact of Drug Abuse on the Youths

REVIEW

IMPACT OF DRUG ABUSE ON THE YOUTHS: A DESK REVIEW STUDY

*Bunu U.O.1, Isyaku M.U.2, Umar I.3

1
Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda.
2
Human Anatomy Department, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda.
3
Public Health Department, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda

ABSTRACT
It appears that drug abused by the youth, seriously impact their lives in many forms, making it hard for them to cope with their
expected life routine. The review aims to address these challenges, by identifying the types and degree of drug abuse impact
on the youth, and also suggest policy brief areas, which will direct the development of interventions that could reduce it. The
review adopts a desktop approach of literature search of published articles. The search was conducted through Google Scholar
and other websites with stakes in drug abuse issues, using ‘drug’ and ‘abuse’ search words simultaneously. In all, 26 published
records were selected and explored for the narrative. Four categories of drug abuse impact on the youth are identified, thus,
health, economic, social, and environmental issues. The issues inhibit the youth’s ability to strengthen and develop the needed
skills for an ideal healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, the impact of drug use is difficult to quantified, as such, regional specific
impact study should be conducted, for the development of a content specific drug abuse prevention program, grounded on
principles of an all-inclusive approach irrespective of age, gender and cultural diversity.

Keywords: Youth, Mental-Health, Drug-Abuse, Impact, Addiction

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 Bunu et al Impact of Drug Abuse on the Youths

INTRODUCTION of reasons, which includes fun, alertness, performance,

satisfying hunger, and weight management among
Drug abuse has become a global phenomenon and
others, ignoring its consequential morbidity and
its intensity varies depending on the country in
mortality effects (13). In this regard, drug-related
question. World over, about 15.3 million
fatalities are estimated to be 187,100 people annually as
individuals experience a minimum of one drug
of 2013, with an intolerable number of drug abusers
abused related disorder (1-4). In the year 2012, the
dying before their time, with approximately 400, 000
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
deaths per year in the 2020s, worldwide (14).
(UNODC) estimated that about 183,000 drug-
related deaths occurred globally; with around 162- It is difficult to combat the impact of drug abuse without

324 million people, aged between 15 and 64, political commitment. The needed commitment demand

reported using abusing drug at least once yearly (5, putting in place a strategic drug abuse management

6). There is an increased of about 26% in the burden technique, with particular attention on the youth.

of drug abuse among youth, compare to the past Against this, background, the review was conducted to

decade (7, 8). identify the types and degree of drug abuse impact on
the youth and suggest policy brief areas, which will
Drug abuse is considered as a pattern that is
direct the development of interventions that would
maladaptive due to sustained use, despite awareness
reduce the impact of drug abuse on the youth and other
of developing a repeated or persistent social,
illegal drug use.
professional, psychological, or physical challenge
as a result of recurrent use in circumstances that are
physically harmful (9, 10). The term “abuse” is METHODOLOGY
often used informally to mean any utilization of The study is a narrative review. It adopts a desktop

illicit drugs. Due to its double standard, the name is search technique for literature and published reports.

used strictly on non-dependence drugs case. Drug Desktop literature search enables a purposive selection

abuse during adolescence and early adulthood has of literature that best address the issues under

become a serious public health problem with discussion. The literature search was done through

several consequential impacts on them (11, 12). Google Scholar, non-academic, as well as industry-
based websites with a stake in and drug abuse related
The Impact of drug abuse on the youth is a global
issues. “Drugs” and “abuse” key words were used
phenomenon. Drug abuse contributes to the rise in
simultaneously to search for the published texts. Words
youth violence, poverty, unemployment, and crime
like substance, addictions, and dependence without
among others (12). Youth abused drugs for a variety
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 Bunu et al Impact of Drug Abuse on the Youths

being linked to drug abuse were not included in the health of body and mind (11). Drug abuse by youth
search terms, as the focus of the study was impacts their health in different forms and ways, by
specifically on drugs abuse impact. The search was limiting one's capacity to enjoy life, distort memory,
further, restricted to the materials published in missed opportunities for skills development among
English language only. The literature search returns others (2). The findings here revealed that drugs
several records, which were validated individually constitute a risk to youth physical and mental health in
for relevance and selection. The initial scrutiny addition to the dangers of developing infectious and
picked 670 references, of which 26 references were non-infectious diseases. The following are examples of
identified as relevant and significant because they the drug abuse impact on health.
covered the impacts of drugs abuse issues. Studies Physical Health
that clearly not meet the inclusion criteria, were Drug abuse has a number of negative impacts on
excluded. The authors independently checked each youths’ physical health. Continuous drug abuse poses a
of the selected materials for relevance, and risk of encountering suicides, domestic, industrial and
familiarization, before a critical review by the first road traffic accidents, homicide, and needle stick
author, through distillation and analysis of the injuries among others (15, 16).
themes for the narrative. Morbidity Issues
Findings Drug abuse by the youth resulted in the development of
Following the materials synthesis, several themes related illnesses. Use of certain drugs like opioid,
emerged. The themes revealed a multi-level drug amphetamine, and cocaine among others leads to
abuse related impact, with several repercussions on morbidity rates among the users at the ratio of 3–14
individual, family, community, and the society at times, and estimated death of around 211,000 from
large. The narrative was presented under four broad drug-related ailments (17, 18). Moreover, correlations
headings, thus, Health Impact, Economic Impact, between some drugs of abuse and corresponding
Social Impact and Environmental Impacts, with morbidity were established. For example, heroin is
several accompanying subheadings, as highlighted associated with the risk of physical injuries due to
below: accidents, violence and/or early death (19).
Health Impact Amphetamine is linked to cerebral vascular accidents,
Drug abuse impact on health is enormous. The and heart failure-related fatalities (13). Cocaine is
impact affects the brain's ability to function linked to risks of both deliberate and unintentional
correctly; the brain function is crucial for the overall accidents, with potential effects on cardiovascular
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 Bunu et al Impact of Drug Abuse on the Youths

tissues, brain hemorrhage, stroke, and kidney The following features, depression, withdrawal
failure (6). Cannabis use is linked to brain syndromes, developmental retardation, apathy, bipolar,
impairment and psychosis (19). dementia, amnesia, and psychosis among others are
mental health conditions associated with youth drug

Infectious Diseases abusers (10)

According to Degenhardt et al. (20), injectable drug Economic Impact

abuse increases the risk of contracting HIV There is a noticeable economic impact on youth who
infection. HIV epidemics in the global south were abused drugs. The youth experience economic
fueled significantly through injectable drug abuse challenges as they grow because their brains cannot
(19). Also, non-injecting drug abusers are more function efficiently, due to the effect of the abused
likely to contract HIV by engaging in riskier sexual drugs on it, as such, their ability to create wealth
behavior (21). In this regard, the use of through the production of goods and services is
Amphetamines by males who have sex with men trimmed. The situation poses a significant financial
increases the risk of HIV infection through repercussion on the youth drug abusers with all the
unprotected anal contact (21). These few examples resultant consequences of non-compliance with
highlight the devastating impact of drug abuse- increased costs of medical treatment, lack of self-
related infectious diseases on youth’s health. service support, and financial losses among others (23).

Non-infectious Diseases The economic impact associated with drug abuse is that

The leading non-infectious disease related to drug the cost of production, distribution, and use of the illegal

abuse is mental health. Drug abuse by youth usually drugs are borne by the abusers, which in turn unleashed

impact their mental health capacity, with an the burden of the financial loss on self, families,

associated ailment like depression, developmental societies, and governments among others.

delays, apathy, and withdrawal from reality, among

other psychosocial disorders. Youth who abuse Consequently, there is a significant association between
drugs are more likely to experience depression, drug abuse and unemployment. Drug abuse reduces an
personality disorders, and suicidal thoughts, than individual's chances of securing employment, and/or
nonusers. It has been demonstrated that marijuana continue working due to susceptibility to accidents and
use, which is common among young people, the associated poor performance and productivity
interferes with memory, learning, and psychomotor among other negative factors. Youth who abuse drugs
abilities (22). are often absent from work more frequently and are
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 Bunu et al Impact of Drug Abuse on the Youths

three to four times more likely to experience a Drug Abuse Impact on Career
workplace mishap, with almost five times more Drug abuse has constituted a career risk to the youth’s
chances of submitting compensation claims than potential. The situation could follow the youth into their
non-drug abuse colleagues (8). Also, the money adult life stage, in addition to the physical challenges, it
spent on treating drug abuse, crime prevention, law also presents physiological and psychological issues
enforcement, and drug abuse-related offences, due to its ability to cloud judgment and promote hasty
constitutes significant financial loss to both abusers, decisions. Specific issues with career distortion
donor agencies, relatives, and the government as attributes include non-erasable criminal records,
well (23). assaults, sexually transmitted infections, unintended
pregnancies, career cut-off, family and friends’
Social Impact disconnections and missed opportunities to mend fences

Youth who abuse drugs experience a wide range of among others (23, 26).

social life issues. The youth’s social concerns in Social and Criminal Justice
relation to drug abuse include disruptions in their The connection between drug abuse and crime is
social network, such as academic challenges, apparent. Several youths who abused drugs, the justice
distorted career paths and avoidable contact with systems for the minors’ responses include arrest,
the juvenile justice system among others (24). The rulings, and rehabilitation among other interventions.
following explains some of the frequently Not all drug abuse leads to criminality and/or
encountered social issues faced by the youth in troublemaking, but the two actions often result into
relation to drug abuse. issues with impact on school attendance, family life,
• Academics: Drug abuse is linked to issues like joining negative peers (27). In several societies, youth
declining grades, absence from school and other are prohibited from having illicit drugs in their
activities, and a high likelihood of dropping out of possession and/or using them, despite that, there is
school, lack of dedication to study, increased compelling evidence linking youth delinquency with
truancy rates, causing cognitive and behavioral drug abuse. Drug abuse by the youth is linked to both
issues that can impact their academic performance violent and profit-making crimes. Residents of the
as well as their peers' ability to learn (7, 25). This is community become more fearful as a result of the
not where it ends, more to it, the impact can increase youth delinquencies, which increases demand
frequently extend to their families, towns, and even for the establishment of criminal justice services for
the entire society. youth (6). Therefore, social, and criminal justice issues
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 Bunu et al Impact of Drug Abuse on the Youths

that are frequently connected to drug abuse by youth surroundings. Abusers’ environment contributes to
include gangs, drug trafficking, prostitution, and an drug abuse in a considerable percentage, making it
increase in the number of youth homicides, and the difficult to predict the trends of environmental impact
associated stigma. of drug abuse. Environmental impact evaluations of
Drug Abuse and Stigma drug abuse rely on indirect indications, such as law

Similar to the majority of chronic illnesses like enforcement data on arrest and drug seizures, overdose,

diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treating drug treatment demand, and eventual deaths among others

abuse typically does not result in a full recovery. (30). Environmental impact of drug abuse may occur in

Drug abuse can, however, be effectively treated and several forms and ways.

controlled. Abusers who are in recovery run the risk • Peers. Youth who abuse drugs frequently feel
of relapsing for several years, if not their entire life. isolated and stigmatized by their peers. Drug abusers
According to research, individuals have the best frequently skip out school attendance and
chance of success when using a combination of community events, robbing their peers and
behavioral therapy and medications for addiction. communities of the beneficial contributions they may
Continued recovery may result from treatment have otherwise made (31).
strategies that are adapted to each patient's drug use • Families. In addition to personal hardships, drug
habits and any co-occurring medical, mental, and abuse by youth can put many elements of family life
social issues. It is possible to minimize or reduce in danger and cause family crises, sometimes leading
damaging stigma and hostility around with minor to disintegration. Drugs abuse by youth have a
stigma modifications. significant impact on both parents and siblings (32).
The stigma associated with addiction may stem The financial and emotional resources of a family
from out-of-date notions or a dread of the unfamiliar can be deeply depleted by drug abusers (7).
or misunderstood. Stigma is a chronic social issue • Criminal Behavior. The comparatively small
that can be managed through awareness creation number of youths who abused heroin have a
that is capable of promoting health and normal lives disproportionately negative impact on crime in their
(28). Most professionals agree that anyone can neighborhoods (19). Drug abuse by youth and crimes
develop drug abuse habit, due to the abused drugs are the most often committed offences by heroin
highly addictive components (29). users, who spend 40–60% of their free time
Environmental Impact committing crimes (22).

Drug abuse is consistently influence by external • Purchase Trends. The consumption of illicit drugs
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 Bunu et al Impact of Drug Abuse on the Youths

has reportedly increased globally. This trend is funding mechanisms that would support the prevention
affirmed by data on the area used for drug economic, social and environmental impact of drug
cultivation, manufacturing, and seizures, imply abuse on the affected youth.
that consumption has remained largely consistent • To Create and develop parent/guardian orientation
since 2010 (5). With global increases in drugs and sensitization programs, on effective parents-to-
seizures, particularly in Africa and Mexico, the ward/child communication skills, to fortify family
illicit market for illicit drugs appears to be bonds, that will stop their kids from patronizing drugs.
expanding (8). CONCLUSION
• Legal. Youths in illegal possession of illicit The review has thus, identify four range of harmful
drugs end up in court. A person may potentially impacts, thus health, economic, social, and
receive a prison sentence if they are found to be environmental, resulting from drug abuse by the youth.
distributing or selling drugs. A youth’s future The youth who abused drugs struggle in a variety of
existence may be quite challenging if their ways, which includes academic, physical, and mental
criminal records are established. A criminal health issues, and cordial relationship with their peers,
record may result in ongoing legal problems such among others. That being said, drug abused by the youth
as: Receiving financial aid for education; have consequential impact on their health, and
returning to school; becoming eligible for public behaviors in general, due to its influence on the brain
housing; finding employment; and joining the growth during the teenage and early twenties. To
military among others (17, 19). address the raised issues, enhanced policies, and
behavioral change programs among other interventions
Recommendations are required.
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