Because I Got High What Can Cause Drug Use? Sources Pop culture… Movies “The Breakfast Club” Music Television “That 70’s Show” Can be a huge influence on teen choices and can encourage irresponsible use of substances. For example, for every hour of music a teen listens to they hear 35 references to substances. (Parker-Pope, 2008) Parker-Pope, Tara (2008). “Under the Influence of…Music?” The New York Times. Retrieved from:  By the end of high school 28% of students engage in heavy drinking frequently, 40% have experimented with illegal drugs, and 20% have tried a highly addictive or toxic substance (Berk, 2010, 300).  85,000 teens die due to alcohol consumption, 20,000 die due to illicit drug use, and another 20,000 die from abusing prescription drugs EACH YEAR (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2007).  More than 2 million youth in the U.S. classify as addicted to a substance (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2007). National Institute of Drug Abuse (2007).Retrieved from: Shocking Statistics What Can Drug Use Cause? Emilie Macek EDST Observation Experience and Teaching Connection -Parents: Parents modeling illicit drug use or cold, authoritarian and uninvolved parenting styles (Berk, Year, 300 & 325) -School: The pressure to do well can push teens to abuse drugs prescribed to ADHD patients in order to strengthen focus and achieve more (Casa Palmera Staff, 2013) -Childhood: Hostile, impulsive, or disruptive behavior displayed in youth can foreshadow drug use and risky behavior in adolescence (Berk, 2010, p. 300) -Identity: Teens stuck in “identity diffusion” adopt an apathetic attitude that makes them more likely to abuse drugs (Berk, 2010, p. 316). -Friends: Peer groups and crowds chosen in adolescence tend to share a willingness (or unwillingness) to try drugs and alcohol (Berk, 2010, p.327). -SES: Teens with higher SES, can have better Morris, Staci Leon, Wagner, Eric F. (2007). Adolescent Substance Use: Developmental Considerations. Florida Certification Board/Southern Coast ATTC Monograph Series #1. “The Effects of Drugs on the Adolescent Brain.( ).” Sama foundation. Retrieved From: Crano, William D., and Brandon Nakawaki. "Predicting Adolescent's Persistence, Non-persistence, and Recent Onset of Nonmedical Use of Opioids and Stimulants. "Addictive Behaviors’ 37.6 (2012): Science Direct. Web. 24 Sept The Brain: Certain drugs can release an extensive amount of dopamine which clouds our ability to feel satisfied in everyday life (Samafoundation.org, 2010) -Drug abuse can prohibit the development of problem solving skills and encourage too much dependence on emotional responses such as fear and worry (Samafoundation.org, 2010) - Neural connections, which help us to develop our perception of self, slow as age increases; therefore, by the time an adolescent would consider changing their habit of teen drug use, the connections would not develop effectively leaving them stuck within the identity of drug user. (Samafoundation.org, 2010) Behavior & Life Choices: Drug abuse can lead to early sex, prolonged addiction, poor hygiene habits, and an apathetic mindset. (Casa Palmera Staff, 2009) Drug abusers fail to develop positive decision making skills and often enter the “adult” world early unprepared. (Berk, 2010, p. 300) Emotional Disorders: Chronic anxiety, depression, and antisocial behavior can all be causes and severe consequences of drug use, which creates a vicious cycle of abuse (Berk, 2010, p. 300). healthcare and therefore greater accessibility to prescription drugs (Crano & Nakawaki, 2012) -Childhood: displaying hostility or impulsive behavior in youth can foreshadow later substance abuse in adolescence (Berk, 2010, p. 300). -Gender: According to a survey generated over 7 years, girls aged were more likely to abuse stimulants and prescription drugs than boys (Crano & Nakawaki, 2012). -Pubertal Timing: Early onset of puberty can lead adolescents to seek out more “mature” crowds and riskier activities (Morris & Wagner, 2007). Casa Palmera Staff (2013). Study Drugs: An Emerging Trend in Drug Abuse. Retrieved from: Casa Palmera Staff (2012). “Top Five Reasons Kids use Drugs.” Retrieved from: Casa Palmera Staff (2009).”The Effects of Drug Abuse on Teens.” Retrieved from:  Recently, I was able to observe a Midwest, urban high school’s cheerleading team. When I compared the girls on the team to other students mingling around the school, I realized that the cheerleaders were less prone to swearing, held themselves respectfully, and exhibited healthy habits like exercise and hydration. I think I can extend this comparison and say that adolescents dedicated to an after- school activity, whether or not it is sports based, are less likely to take part in illicit drug use or abuse. They have a reason (like the cheerleading team) to stay healthy and alert during the duration of their activity. As a future teacher, this implies that I should encourage a multitude of extracurricular activities to ensure that any student, despite his or her interests, has an outlet for their passion, creativity, and stresses that does not involve dangerous substances like drugs or alcohol. This is a positive way to keep kids “off the streets” away from negative influences, without a lecture that might cause teens to rebel.