Juvenile Drug Use
Drug use in the U.S. is a topic most would agree to be a growing problem. While the attention of the use and abuse of illicit drugs has largely been correlated to adults, it too has become a more common issue among juveniles.
To provide a better understanding of the issues relating to juvenile drug use and abuse, this post will make aware: the unfortunate numbers in juvenile drug use; health and long-term effects related thereto; treatment needs and opportunities; and arrests and sentencing as a result of such use.
While many believe juvenile drug use to be at a state of constant rise, current trends confirm that such use has been at a substantial decline in usage levels. With this decline however, the reduction in youth drug use continues to act as a key component of the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. Studies have shown that the earlier a juvenile initiates drug use, the more likely he/she will develop drug problems later in life (Office of National Drug Control Policy).
In a 2008 Monitoring the Future study, it was found that, 19.6% of eight graders, 34.1% of tenth graders, and 47.4% of twelfth graders reported using illicit drugs within their lifetimes. Additional information identified from this study, implied that for eighth grade students, in the years 2007 & 2008, 7.4% and 7.6%, respectively, admitted to using illicit drugs within the past month, with 13.2% and 14.1%, respectively admitting use within the past year. Of that same time period, 16.9% and 15.8%, respectively, of tenth grade students admitted to illicit drug use within the past month, with 28.1% and 26.9%, respectively, admitting to such use within the past year. For twelfth grade students during the same time period, 21.9% and 22.3%, respectively, admitted to drug use within the past month, while 35.9% and 36.6%, respectively, admitted to such use within the past year (Johnston, O’Malley, Bachman, and Schulenberg. 2008).
Additionally, a 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, established the following: 19.7% of students were actively using marijuana; 3.3% using cocaine; 13.3% using inhalants; 2.3% using heroin; 4.4% using meth; 5.8% using ecstasy; and 3.9% using steroids. They further concluded that youths who more actively participated in school activities (i.e., dance lessons, student government, sports, band) during the past year were less likely to have used illicit drugs within the past month than those not participating in such activities. For youths ranging in ages from “12-17 who participated in two or more youth activities, 10.4% had used an illicit drug in the past month. Among youths indicating one or no youth activities in the past year, 17.9% reported past month illicit drug use (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
Next, is the focus on health effects. As it pertains to juvenile drug use, it can be noted that such use by these juveniles greatly increases the possibility that he/she will encounter many related effects. Through persistent substance abuse by juveniles, many often find themselves confronted by academic difficulties, poor peer relationships, health-related problems, and possibly the most unfortunate, involvement with the juvenile justice system.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) notes that, “mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents” (ONDCP). In addition, the ONDCP suggests that those youth involved in substance abuse, are much more likely than non users to experience mental health problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide. In addition to these mental concerns, persistent drug abuse also has correlations to delinquency, arrest, adjudication, and intervention by the juvenile justice system (Office of National Drug Control Policy).
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), notes that while substance abuse has not been identified to directly cause delinquent behavior, nor has ones delinquent behavior been linked to cause an increase in drug and alcohol use, it is suggested that the two are strongly correlated and often result in problems both in school and family, increased involvement with negative peer groups, a lack of neighborhood social controls, and physical or sexual abuse (OJJDP).
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), notes that while substance abuse has not been identified to directly cause delinquent behavior, nor has ones delinquent behavior been linked to cause an increase in drug and alcohol use, it is suggested that the two are strongly correlated and often result in problems both in school and family, increased involvement with negative peer groups, a lack of neighborhood social controls, and physical or sexual abuse (OJJDP).
In a study reporting the number of people seeking emergency department (ED) treatment related to illicit drug use, the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), reported that in 2006, ED drug-related episodes for persons aged 12-17 were estimated to be 58,428. Of these episodes, marijuana was mentioned 44,088 times; cocaine was mentioned 10,984 times; stimulants were mentioned 7,740 times, and MDMA (Ecstasy) was mentioned 4,524 times (Drug Abuse Warning Network).
With such astounding numbers, it is only right that the next focus be on treatment. In a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, it was noted that in 2006, of youths aged between 12 and 17, 2.1 million needed treatment for the usage of illicit drugs and/or alcohol. It was also noted that of this number, only 181,000 received the appropriate treatment from specialty facilities, leaving the remaining 1.9 million juveniles who needed treatment for a substance use problem, on their own (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
With this information, it is without question that the establishment of further facilities be initiated, while at the same time, increasing the availability of such treatment to those juveniles in need of it.
The final issue related to juvenile drug use, is that of arrests and sentencing. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting Program, “109,444 juveniles (under the age of 18) were arrested by state and local law enforcement agencies for drug abuse violations during 2007, representing approximately 10.6% of all drug arrests in which the offender’s age was reported” (FBI-Uniform Crime Report, 2010).
Additionally, according to preliminary data from the Arrestee Drug Abuse (ADAM) Program, a median of 59.7% of male juvenile detainees and 45.9% of female juvenile detainees tested positive for drug use in 2002 (Office of National Drug Control Policy).
As is obvious, drug use by juveniles, although currently at a state of decline, is a major concern affecting all of society. While such an issue brings with it an exceeding large financial strain, it too has great affect on the future of our nation. As many have noted, the future of the U.S. is in the hands of our youth. To ensure a prosperous, thriving society, both economically and productively, this issue of juvenile drug use must be further researched and examined, to assist in the reduction of such extreme numbers. As is the case for many issues, juvenile drug use is not likely to be stopped, it can however, be recognized as an issue that can be reduced.
Possibly the most substantial method to reduce juvenile drug use and abuse, is to use a proactive approach, implementing further drug awareness programs into schools and communities, connecting with youth at their most influential ages.
Reaching these youth at a time in which they are most influential, will not only help to reduce the number of youths becoming involved in illicit drug use, it in turn, will help in the reduction of youths needing treatment for such use, as well as lower the numbers of those becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.
This issue is not one at the sole responsibility of the government, moreover, it is the responsibility of ALL citizens within society.
I ask you now to help reduce this issue. Do your part. Get involved.
Sources:
“DAWN.” Drug Abuse Warning Network. Drug Abuse Warning Network, 01 Jan 2001. Web. 14 Apr 2011.
“Department of Health and Human Services.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006. Web. 14 Apr 2011.
“The Federal Bureau of Investigations.” FBI-Uniform Crime Report. Federal Bureau of Investigations, 2010. Web. 14 Apr 2011.
Johnston, L.D., O’Malley, P.M., Bachman, J.G., & Schulenberg, J.E. (December 11, 2008). “Various stimulant drugs show continuing gradual declines among teens in 2008, most illicit drugs hold steady.” University of Michigan News Service: Ann Arbor, MI. Retrieved 10 Apr 2011 from
“Juveniles and Drugs: Facts and Figures.” Office of National Drug Control Policy. Office of National Drug Control Policy, n.d. Web. 14 Apr 2011
I remember when I was in junior high and high school kids were always trying drugs. In high school is when I learned more about how they were made and sold. I wish this still wasn't suck a big issue with juveniles and in the schools. I have a 4 year old and worry about when she gets old how big the drug problem will be with her friends and classmates. I know if I keep her informed and on a positive track in life, I can hopefully keep her away from drug use, but only time will tell.
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