Bradley Steven Cassity

Effects on Society Drugs impact society in many ways Increases the amount of crime in the US Gang-Related Crimes Spousal Abuse, Child Abuse Vandalism Murder, Assault, Rape

Effects on Society Cont. Doing Drugs in Public/In Front of Friends or Family Seeing Drug Deals/Drug Use leads to others following that path Makes you a deviant to society Committing crime Lowering your inhibitions Acting outside yourself

Causes of Drug Use Mood Disorders Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder Personality Disorders Antisocial Personality Disorder Peer Pressure If your friends are doing drugs, you are more likely to do them to try to fit in Marital Status People who are single are more likely to begin abusing drugs Childhood People with traumatic childhoods are more likely to do drugs

Causes Cont. Hereditary Intake of Drugs If a mother did drugs while pregnant with her child, that child is more likely to begin drug use Lack of Self-Confidence Broken Family Situations Easy Access to Drugs Irresponsible Parents

Statistics 7% of the population will experience drug abuse at some point in their life 2.7% of the population will experience drug addiction at some point in their life In the U.S., 25% of deaths can be linked to drug abuse 65% of addicts get their drug/drink from a friend or family member The most commonly used drug amongst youth is alcohol. Among students who have come out of the eighth grade, 52% have tasted alcohol, 41% have smoked a cigarette and 20% have tried marijuana. Alcohol and drug use is most prominent in Hispanics, followed by Caucasians, then African Americans. The average age of beginning alcohol consumption is % of domestic violence is attributed to drug abuse

Only 1 in 4 teens have a frequent discussion about drug abuse and addiction with their parents. 28% of high school teenagers know of at least one of their friends is a chronic drug user. 17% know more than one. Marijuana is the most commonly used drug among the ages of 18-25, 24% of the population million people over the age of 12 use illegal drugs in the US. Emergency room visits regarding Ecstasy have increased 58% since 2000.

Problems with Drug Use Health Problems Anxiety, Convulsions, Dilated Pupils, Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure, Delusions, Hypertension, Paranoia, Liver Disease, Cancer, Anemia, Coma, Death

Prevent the Problem If you choose to drink, make sure you have a designated driver. Only use drugs that have been prescribed by a doctor and use them responsibly. If you know somebody who is suffering from addiction, make sure to get them proper help. Teach your kids the problems with abusing drugs, be open with them, answer all of their questions and don’t shut them out when they ask about it. Make sure to not leave any prescription drugs or alcohol in easily accessible locations. If you think there is something wrong with your children, friends, or another family member, figure out what’s wrong, be the support that they need.

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