The Detrimental Effects of Teenage Drug Abuse in the UK

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The use of drugs by teenagers today has caused a concern in the UK. Teenagers are unknown to the effects that drugs can cause physically and mentally. It is very important that there is awareness on drug abuse among young people. Since the usage of drugs not only affects the body, it also affects many aspects of a person’s daily life. Firstly, it affects the social life, causing isolation, which is one of the most common effects that happen due to drug usage. Secondly, it affects family and relationships. Due to the addiction of drugs, sometimes families abandon their children or lose their trust on them. Lastly, drug use affects people financially and professionally. Depending on drugs, causes the financial strain to be devastating, as drugs become more important than other responsibilities. The professional life also comes into risk as drug abuse sometimes leads to unexplained absences, which eventually leads to termination. Therefore, it is vitally important to raise alertness of drug abuse throughout the UK. There are varieties of factors that determine the influence that drugs have on young people. Most young people think that drugs can help them deal with stress; therefore, they decide to use depressants. Depressants make everything slow down, and calm a person giving them a sense of relaxation. The most common depressant used is cannabis, which allows the user to have feelings of relaxation. However, the users are not aware of the fact that these drugs can have problems in the future for them. Another factor of influence is efforts of being rebellious or cool. Teenagers assume that by taking drugs, they will be able to “fit-in” with the “cool crowd”. Therefore, they decide to use stimulants, in the efforts to impress o... ... middle of paper ... ...ver consume alcohol. • 63 percent of the youth who drink alcohol say that they initially got the alcohol from their own or their friend’s homes • 39% of 15 year olds had used illegal drugs United Kingdom state and private secondary schools, 7722 pupils aged 15 and 16 are questioned and the results are: • 42.3% (3264/7722) had at some time used illicit drugs, mainly cannabis. • 43% (1546/3546) of boys and 38% (1529/4009) of girls had tried cannabis Drug related deaths by cause of death and NHS board area 2007 NHS Board Area Drug Abuse Scotland 299 Greater Glasgow and Clyde 102 Works Cited • http://www.teendrugabuse.us/teen_drug_use.html • http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2151344.stm • http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/313/7054/394 • Drug related deaths in Scotland 2007.pdf • http://www.unodc.org/pdf/technical_series_1995-03-01_1.pdf

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