Illegal Drug Use in Teens

Ecstasy, Cocaine (Crack) and Cannabis are all common drugs that teenagers use today. I wanted to find out the different types of illegal drugs use in our society today. I also wanted to find out the effects of these drugs on our bodies, wether they are good, or bad. Illegal drug use in teens has affected our society in many different ways. Gang violence, drug abuse and illegal sportsmanship. This issue made me want to find out what causes teenagers to take these drugs.

What are drugs?

Drugs are chemicals or substances that change the way our body works. When we put drugs into our bodies, often by swallowing, inhaling, or injecting, the drugs make their way to the nervous system. In the nervous system, drugs may intensify or dull your senses. They could raise your sense of awareness, or even decrease physical pain.

A drug may be helpful or harmful to your body. There are many different types of illegal and harmful drugs that teenagers use today. Heroin, Cocaine, Ecstasy, Cannabis and steroids. But there are only three common drugs that teenagers use and abuse today. Ecstasy (Class A), Cannabis (Class C) and Cocaine (Class A).

What are the differences between the ‘classes’ of drugs? ‘Class A’ drugs are more dangerous and harmful to your body, compared to the

‘Class C’ drug. But don’t forget that they are still illegal and harmful. Being more harmful and dangerous isn’t the only difference between the ‘classes’. The penalties for possessing and suppling the drugs are different. ‘Class A’ penalties are much more sever than the ‘Class C’ penalties.

Drugs today can be accessed and misused by many teens. Drugs that are misused can be dangerous, addictive, and deadly.  In my research I had come across a stunning statistic.

About 24 million people in the United States abuse the use of drugs. But about 5 million of those people are teenagers.

That statistics only in the US, but what about the rest of the world?

While there are many illegal drugs in our society today, everyone needs to be more aware so that we could reduce the risk of drug abuse in our community.

Have you ever wondered, what were the long-term effects on your body? Taking drugs can alter your ‘brain chemistry’. ‘Brain chemistry’ is the way that your brain works. Altering ‘brain chemistry’, by taking drugs, could disrupt the natural order of things, which could lead to mental disorders. Especially with the teenaged brain growing. Taking drugs could do serious damage, to your heaths and future.

Teenagers today use a variety of drugs to get that certain ‘buzz’ throughout their body. But they don’t know what they’re doing to their body in the long-run. The effect of the drug could change depending what drug that is taken, how much is taken and how often it is used. Effects could also change on the differences in body size, shape, and DNA. Some drugs can lead to organ failure or worse, death.

I think teenagers shouldn’t take drugs because they have their whole life in front of them, and taking drugs would destroy all of that. Infertility, heart disease, liver failure and cosmetic changes all of these would change your whole life, and it could all be done by taking drugs and abusing it.

Many teens today use illegal drugs. There are many ways of influencing drug use today. Teenagers use and abuse drugs for many different reasons. Teens would only take drugs if a strong ‘need’ is involved. They may take drugs to satisfy the ‘need’ he or she feels. The ‘need’ might be to get through a tough and stressful time or, to feel a part of a group. It might just be peer pressure or boredom. But the more drugs they take the more addictive it could get to the user.

Many teens use drugs because they’re depressed or think drugs will help them escape their problems; well the truth is that drugs don’t solve these problems. They just hide feelings and problems or even make them worse. Having Friends is a big need for everyone, including me. All teens would want to fit in and be in the ‘in’ crowd. Teens would do just about anything to get with the ‘in’ crowd or to fit in, including taking drugs and risking their future.

Peer pressure is one of the most common and natural parts of growing up as a teenager. Everyone feels peer pressure. But, the less self-esteem and confidence teenagers are about themselves, the more likely they are to give in to peer pressure.

Taking drugs always comes with dangerous consequences. Consequences that could destroy your whole life and future. In my class ‘10s’ 17 people out of 28 said that teenagers only take drugs because they want to look cool and to rebel against authority. 8 people said that teenagers take drugs because they would want to fit in and hang out with the ‘in’ crowd. But only 3 said that teens only take drugs because of depression and low self-esteem. All these reasons are correct there are many different ways that make teenagers take drugs.

In conclusion teenagers today are taking and abusing drugs. It might be to look cool, to be a rebel or from peer pressure from your friends. Just remember in the future that when you take drugs, don’t abuse the privileges that is given to you. Taking drugs always comes with dangerous consequences. Consequences that could destroy your whole life and future. Teens today who takes drugs risk loosing friends and getting brain damage.  We all need to live a good and happy life in the future, so don’t take drugs.