Teenage Drug Use

What is a drug? A drug is any substance that changes mood, behavior, or consciousness. Examples of drugs are: medicines, alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.

During the late 1800s, cocaine could be found as an ingredient in a wide variety of products: soft drinks and cough syrup.

Drug Violence During the 1980s and 1990s, there was a dramatic increase in drug-related crime. Even more alarming was the growth of crime related to drug trafficking. During the mid-1990s, about 1,000 drug-related murders occurred each year in the U.S.

Drug Violence Adult criminal gangs control the drug trade in the United States. However, foot soldiers are often teenagers and children. Children as young as 9 or 10 are hired as lookouts.

Drug Violence Crack cocaine is the leading cause of the rise in drug violence. Crack is a highly addictive, smokable form of cocaine. Drug related juvenile arrests skyrocketed because of crack.

Teenage Drug Use Marijuana remains the most widely used drug among high school seniors. Use of new drugs such as ecstasy has increased in the 1990s and 2000.

Smoking and Alcohol Use Cigarette smoking has dropped slightly during the 2000s. However, 23% of high school students smoke on a daily basis.

Alcohol Abuse In recent years, alcohol use among teenagers has declined; however, it is still a widespread problem. In 2000, 73% of high school seniors surveyed reported having used alcohol at some point. In addition, 50% reported having a drink as recently as a month prior to the survey.

Drug Use and the U.S. The United States has the highest rate of drug use among adolescents of any industrialized nation. Research indicates that high school drop outs have much higher rates of drug use.

Influences on Teenage Drug Use Having friends who regularly engage in drug use. Having social and academic adjustment problems. Living in a hostile and rejecting family setting.