Drug Use Among Teenagers
~~~ While I was conducting my research, I located the actual survey results and decided
to include them with this essay. (I included them at the end of my essay). ~~~
The three main drugs that are used among teenagers are Marijuana, LSD, and a variety of
inhalants. The use of these drugs seem to be of an astronomical amount according to the
survey conducted by the University of Michigan.
Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried,
shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa). You may hear marijuana
called by street names such as pot, herb, weed, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic.
There are more than 200 slang terms for marijuana.
Sinsemilla (sin-seh-me-yah; it's a Spanish word), hashish
("hash" for short), and hash oil are stronger forms of
marijuana.
All forms of marijuana are mind-altering. This means they
change how the brain works. They all contain THC
(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in
marijuana. But there are also 400 other chemicals in the
marijuana plant.
LSD
LSD is very potent: the effective dose is measured in micrograms (ug) --
however, the lethal dose is literally thousands of times that, making the drug
essentially non-toxic. LSD can be administered a number of ways, the most
common: orally through paper, sugar cubes, on a piece of gelatin, or by pill;
intravenously; or intramuscularly. A
standard dose with noticeable hallucinogenic effects is about 100-200 ug. The
intensity of the trip is proportional to the size of the dose -- it is interesting
to note, though, that the duration of the trip seems to stay the same at higher doses
(Freedman, 1984). The initial effects begin 20-40 minutes with a sense of euphoria
and dizziness. Hallucinations then begin to occur, with the trip peaking for 4-5
hours after about an hour since the drug is taken.
Inhalants
People use certain inhalants to obtain a "high." These inhalants could be anything from
glue to certain fumes. Inhalation of dangerous and toxic substance is extremely
dangerous and can cause serious health problems or death.
The Reasons for Drug Use To Climb Among Teenagers
Stupidity is one reason! There are many reasons why drug use continues to climb. The
laws are not strict enough for teenage offenders. When a teenager, or any other person,
is caught possessing Marijuana they receive a "slap on the wrist." They receive a fine
or some sort of community service punishment and that is it. Another reason would be the
idea that, "everyone else does it and nothing bad happens to them, I might as well do it
too!" Teenagers see other people using drugs and do not realize the negative affect that
the drug has on that person, so they start themselves. Another reason would be the ease
of obtaining drugs. If I wanted to include some Marijuana with this essay, I very easily
could. It is extremely easy to obtain any kinds of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes for
teenagers. One reason I do not think is a increase in drug use is peer pressure. I feel
that peer pressure does not cause drug use among teens. Most teenagers do not use drugs.
Stop This Problem
There are many solutions to this problem. Stricter laws, stricter school policies about
drugs and alcohol ( a few months ago, a girl was suspended for a long period of time from
school for having aspirin with her, a student at Cranston West came into school drunk,
threw up, fell on the floor and was only suspended for only 7 days!!! ), crackdown on
students that are constantly in trouble with drugs, have a strong faculty and police
presence around all known "hang out" areas, and HARSH PUNISHMENTS for offenders.
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