Teenage Prescription Drug Abuse

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When high school and middle school students use drugs, more times than not they are abusing over the counter drugs. Teenagers for the most part don’t use marijuana, coke, or pot. (Henningfiled, 2013) Abusing prescription drugs, or over the counter drugs, means taking more of that specific medicine than called for. Studies show that twenty percent of teenagers from the age of thirteen to sixteen abuse over the counter drugs. How can schools know this, and do nothing to stop it? The thought process of teenagers is that prescription drugs are legal; therefore they will not be punished. Over the counter drugs are easy to use and cheap to purchase. Teenagers are inexperienced and unaware of the effects that these drugs can have. They trick themselves …show more content…

(Sandor, 2011) The drugs take over their body. They can’t control themselves, and they completely loose control. All they think about is the drugs, and they constantly crave the drugs they are taking. The great thing about our generation today is that drug addiction is recoverable through rehab. To recover, the addict will need to have dedication, responsibility and faith. Addiction is a result of consuming drugs, but it luckily can be cure (Keith, 2013) Drug abuse has become a major conflict in many teens’ lives. A drug addiction affects the person’s health and can be life threatening. If schools and families were to address the issue, the amount of users could drop greatly. (Keith, 2013) Most users are pressured, stressed out, and depressed. Teens turn to drugs for comfort and a solution for all of their problems. (Henningfield, 2013) Drug addiction has sadly changed many teenagers’ lives, but measures can be taken to help them feel happiness and overcome their …show more content…

Many weapons have been brought into school buildings, which end up leading to violence. If on staff member can check one locker one day, problems could be solved, peace could be created, and lives could be saved. In 2000 6 year old Theo Buell and Kayla Rolland got into a fight, and Theo shot Kayla. (Bonilla, 2000) After a teenager in California was expelled, he shot the principal during school. Jacob Davis shot his friend at their graduation for dating his ex girlfriend. These situations define how important school safety is and how big of a difference a school can make. Bad behavior, bad influences, fear and loneliness and fear cause school violence. Every day ten thousand students bring guns to school and two hundred and sixty teachers are assaulted. Schools shouldn’t even have a choice but to take preventive measures. Simple things such as metal detectors, cameras, intercoms, strict discipline and strict rules, and most importantly searching lockers can protect schools and make them as safe as can be. Because of previous violence, schools should feel the need to take precaution and make their property safe. (Gold, 2004) Since drugs and weapons are a threat to schools, schools should be allowed to search lockers, property, and students. There are many positives and negatives of locker searches. The positives include that the user is identified, the user is cautioned, and

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