Teens and Drug Abuse

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.