Do Drugs Have Effects On Underclassmen

Drug Use

In 2013, an estimated 24.6 million americans aged 12 or older, 9.4 percent of the population had used an illicit drug in the past month. This number is up from 8.5 percent since 2003. Illegal drug use has been the issue since the mid 70’s. But it is getting worse by the decade, even adolescent teens are now being corrupted and pressured into trying drugs. Many of those who do, get addicted or dependent on that drug. While young teens are out doing these illegal drugs, some of their parents have no idea that their children are doing these kinds of things. With this being said, Drugs are a nationwide phenomenon. The affection of drugs on young teens is greater than we thought. With one particular drug being “relatively easy” to obtain,

The article states that “In 1977 an MTF survey showed that 56% of high school seniors have tried marijuana, 9% are smoking it daily.” With this being said, if a younger person befriends an upperclassmen they could get associated with drugs and other illegal activity. Another dilemma could be how easily obtained marijuana and other drugs are substance abuse issues, this could be a problem because if their substance abuse does not get better they may start selling or doing more. An interview with an anonymous person, where he says “I would say there are at least 40-50 kids in each high school struggling with the substance abuse issue. And weed is their substance.” This evidence proves that substance abuse is real and is an ongrowing problem. Getting caught, one of the most feared things by a young drug user, if they are caught then they could get in trouble. Due to this fear young drug users feel the need to hide their drug activity because, as Lipinski says,”they know that if they get caught, it's all going to get blown up.” Some teen drug users are caught with drugs but most teens haven’t been caught in the act

Regnier, a Fairfax schools spokesman says, “A student in some cases might be sent back to the original school, sent to a different school or sent to a non-regular school, depending on what the offense is, and the individual circumstances.” If students are sent away,they would have to adjust to a whole new school and suffer the consequences from their parents, so it is simpler to just stop using drugs. While marijuana is the most common drug used among teens, there still are other substances. The article states that, “Marijuana is the major substance involved, but use of the hallucinogen Ecstasy also has risen.” Marijuana is not the only drug that is corrupting young teens.Other drugs seem to be less relevant to the people trying to prevent drugs. They seem to focus on one drug, the most popular marijuana. Just because teens don’t frequently use drugs, they could still suffer from an overdose or allergic reaction. The article tells the story of 19 year-old from MInneapolis who,”died after taking the drug 2C-E, known to users as Europa.” Accidents are always a possibility and this accident proves that accidents with drugs happen when you least suspect