Drug abuse among adolescents

Topic: Drug addiction among adolescents.

Objective:

1. To consider the problem of “teenage drug addiction”;
2. To conduct a sociological survey;
3. to determine the measures of prevention with drug addiction.

Objectives:

1. 1.To study the literature.
2. Conduct a sociological survey (questionnaire survey) among high school students;
3. Make graphs and charts based on the sociological survey data. 4;
4. Summarize and analyze the results, draw conclusions. 5;
5. To find out what preventive measures in the fight against drug addiction are used in the city of Revda;

Object of study: high school students of 14-15 years old.

Subject of study: “Teenage drug addiction” and measures of its prevention.

Hypothesis: Adolescents are the most susceptible to drug addiction, as a consequence, many people from 14 to 18 are prone to the use of drugs.

Research Methods:

Searching:

– Literature study and search for information about adolescent drug addiction and drug prevention measures.

Practical: 

– Conduct a sociological survey among high school students.

Analytical:

– Analysis and synthesis of the information obtained.

Expected and result 

It is expected that after the project is put into practice teenagers will know what drugs and drug addiction are; they will determine for themselves what is better – drugs or life; they will learn how to behave in a situation of peer pressure and will be able to say a firm “no”.  Parents will heed the advice and take steps to keep their children away from drugs.

Introduction

The problem of drug use is very acute in our days. Nowadays the use of narcotic drugs in the world is characterized by huge figures. All society suffers from it, but first and foremost the growing generation: children, adolescents, young people, as well as the health of future mothers, is under threat. After all, drugs are particularly active in influencing the unformed organism by gradually destroying it.

The abuse of narcotic drugs, known since the earliest times, has now spread in proportions that alarm the entire world community. Drug addiction has been recognized as a social disaster in many countries. Revenues of underground corporations from drug trade exceed the known revenues from oil trade and come close to the world revenues from arms trade. Especially destructive is the ill-treatment in the molo-dezhskoy environment – both the present and the future of society are being affected. The full, from the point of view of drug addicts, picture of the spread of evil, including forms of toxic addiction, is even more tragic. Substances and pre-paraphernamines not included in the list of drugs are, as a rule, even more evil and qualitative, and lead to even greater harm to the individual.

What can be considered today the most terrible evil that captures more and more teenagers, unable to lead a normal life afterwards? Evil that at first does not seem as such and brings joy? What can be considered today the most terrible evil that grips more and more adolescents, unable later on to lead a normal life? It is drug use.

In Russia today the problem of drug use by adolescents has acquired terrifying proportions. Just five years ago a 16-year-old drug addict was a clinical rarity, but now adolescents make up one third of drug addicts who seek medical help. Today the social phenomenon of “Teenage Drug Addiction” is very widely covered in Russian society. Scientists, doctors and the public are looking for ways to solve this problem. This is the topic I chose for my work, as it is relevant today for the country, the region and our city – Revda.

Principal part

1. Background history of the emergence of drugs.

Drugs entered human life several thousand years ago. From ancient times people of various cultures and beliefs used them for various purposes: In medical – for pain relief, recreation, as a sleeping pill; Culturally – for change and “refinement” of conscience during the religious rites in order for the people to perceive and assimilate the religious canons deeply and without pain; At last, as stupefying means bringing the person in a state of unreasonable joy and excitement, reducing unpleasant feelings, received in contact with harsh reality. Later this state will be called euphoria, and in the drug addicts’ vocabulary of our time it will get the international nickname “buzz”.

As for addiction, knowing the history of its emergence, development and spread on the planet, at least briefly, is essential in order to make sure, That drugs are the creation of human hands, and addiction is the result of their thoughtless use, which removes people from normal life into the realm of fatal pathologies. Comprehension of this fact is an indispensable condition of the successful fight against drug addiction. At least the beginning of the fight.

2. What are drugs?

There was no uniform and strict definition of narcotic drugs up to the middle of the XX century, though now it is authentically known that people have used them for thousands of years. It is impossible to say that science has not dealt with the problem of narcotic drugs, but it was mostly the research associated with their painkilling properties. Finally, the experts of the World Health Organization have developed this definition: A narcotic is a substance or a mixture of substances that, firstly, differ in a certain way from all substances necessary for normal human life, and, secondly, whose intake leads to changes in the functioning of the organism, seriously complicates the activities of the internal organs, central and vital nervous system.

Drugs are substances with the ability to change the way the brain cells function and thus induce a false sense of pleasure and high spirits.

Drug addiction in numbers 

There are 3 million 200 thousand drug addicts in Russia. After taking 1 dose junkie allowed 12 years of life. After taking the first dose at age 15, at 27 years society will lose another person. Every five minutes a crime is committed because of the dose (violence, robbery, murder). Every year more than 2,000 addicts die (by suicide). Most of them are addicts. 90% of the girls which are addicted to drugs get their fix fix from prostitution. There are 200,000 HIV positive drug addicts in Russia. Article 229 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation establishes liability for theft and extortion of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. The punishment for this crime is from 3 to 15 years of imprisonment. Responsibility for this crime begins at the age of 14. The word narcotics comes from the Greek “stupefying”. Inducement to use narcotic means or psychotropic substances according to article 230 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is punished by imprisonment from 2 to 5 years. I think everyone should know that!

From the literature I have read, I concluded that the number of people, of people who use drugs in our region over the past five years increased. The prevalence of drug addiction in the region is high.

3. Features of teenage drug addiction

The worst thing is that drug use among modern youth has become an everyday occurrence, one may even say, a tradition. It seems as if not using drugs is considered indecent and not modern for today’s teenagers.  Teenage drug addiction, according to statistics, has become a real epidemic in the country. Data from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs show that 70% of those who use drugs are teenagers and young people. 56% of the boys and 20% of the girls have used narcotic or toxic substances at least once and 45% of the boys and 18% of the girls continue using them!

The picture in our region is not good:

In the subculture of today’s youth there is an increase in the formation of a kind of “drug” consciousness, which views the drug “buzz” as an essential attribute of self-improvement and success in life. Material well-being is now defined not only by the brand of car and visits to expensive entertainment venues but also by the possibility of buying another dose of the most “prestigious” drug.

A fashionable philosophical concept among young people is the description and analysis of the spiritual experience that the adolescent has gained through drug use. This is why drug use is now so justified among teenagers. The younger generation is fond of reading books by Groff, Castaneda, Leary, who extol the unusual, “magical” world seen during drug intoxication with substances such as LSD, mescaline, psilobicin.

Even high school students from prestigious educational institutions, who get there as a result of a rigorous competitive selection process, are phenomenally knowledgeable in matters of drug addiction. They freely characterize certain drugs, discuss controversial drug issues, and are well-versed in the field of medicine. Many students have a drug study guide at home and have personal experience of substance use. And these are teenagers not from a regular high school, but the future intellectual elite of the country…

Statistics of drug addiction among adolescents highlights the first global outbreak of this problem in the 20s of the last century. At that time there was a mass use of cocaine by street children in Russia. In the 90’s, unfortunately, there were also a lot of homeless children, but children from well-to-do families were also involved in drug abuse.

Drugs today are sold quite openly, and even distributed via the Internet. And medical preparations containing narcotic substances can be bought in pharmacies without a prescription.

4. Causes of drug addiction in adolescents

Why is drug addiction so prevalent among teenagers today? First of all, because the teenager has not yet formed as a full-fledged personality, he is emotionally weak and excessively curious. In addition, the teenager wants to quickly become an adult, to be different from other peers and solve problems in the easiest way. But, because of his immaturity, the grown-up child does not understand that a harmful addiction does not help to solve life’s usual problems, but leads to new, more serious ones. Such a manifestation of “adulthood” as drug addiction becomes devastating for the young person.

The teenager usually takes his first dose of drugs in the company of friends, at a disco, at a club and even at school. And he does it only out of curiosity, having heard a lot about the drug “high”. But the young person may not understand that this euphoria is fleeting, and drug addicts use drugs for just the opposite purpose – not for the sake of a moment of pleasure, but to return to a state that is normal for a healthy person.

In many cases, substance abuse in adolescence begins because of personal problems, such as a lack of joy in life. If a teenager finds nothing good in his life, he is not happy with everything around him, he decides to try a deadly potion as a lifesaver. Seeing drugs as a way to a world of pleasure and a joyful life, he does not understand that it is very difficult and sometimes even impossible to get out of this illusion.

Experts say that drug addiction in children and adolescents has the most dangerous reason – pleasure. Trying the insidious drug for the first time, the teenager feels unusually pleasant sensations, which seeks to get more and more. As a result of repeated intake of the drug substance addiction occurs, and not only physical, “withdrawal” in the absence of a dose, but also mental – dependence on the pleasure brought by the drug.

Often the reason for the development of drug addiction in a teenager is his friendship with peers who have experience of the “drug” life. A teenager who has difficulties in communicating with their family seems to think that their drug-addicted friends understand them perfectly, and together with drugs they can replace their family and school.

The specificity of teenage drug addiction is that the cause of its development may be the completely opposite situation. The teenager communicates with a very prosperous group of friends, but strives to be the leader in it. For this purpose he starts to show his peers various abilities, among which there is smoking, use of alcohol and drugs as signs of “maturity”.

5. Signs of drug addiction in adolescents

The first “warning signs” of a teenage substance abuse problem may show up from the age of 6-7. If parents discover that a child is smoking at this age, it is cause for serious concern. Smoking at such a young age indicates that the child has a tendency to become addicted to drugs. Therefore, parents should not hesitate to contact a psychologist immediately, before the family is in real trouble.

Drug addiction may appear even after a single use of drugs, this is what is so terrible about drug addiction. The first signs of the fact that the teenager uses drugs, appear already in a week after the beginning of their use. That the pernicious mechanism is set in motion, indicate the emergence of problems with studies, conflicts with teachers, parents and peers, late arrivals home, truancy, school truancy. The teenager is often absent from home, he has new, dubious acquaintances with whom he has secret conversations.

The behavior of the addict also changes. The teenager becomes irritable, rude, his mood often changes without reason, he seeks solitude. Sleep and appetite disorders are observed.

There are also physical signs indicating that the adolescent is addicted to drugs:
– Narrowed or dilated pupils, regardless of lighting;
– Slow and slurred speech;
– Movement coordination disorders;
– Very pale skin;
– poor memory and a depressed state.

All of these changes in a teenager’s condition and behavior should alert his or her parents.

The consequences of teenage drug addiction are scary, so noticing the named signs in your child should not panic and throw a tantrum. It is important to understand the situation and act immediately. Perhaps the teenager has not yet turned into a drug addict, and used the drug once, and has no desire to do it again. Parents should be helpers for children in difficult situations, and if there is a problem, help the child solve it. To eradicate the problem immediately, without letting it take root, you should seek help from psychologists, doctors, and rehabilitation centers.

6. Impact of drugs on the body

Drug enters the bloodstream two minutes after its consumption. The blood carries it through all the cells of the organism. First of all the cells of the large hemispheres of the brain suffer. The normal reflexive activity of the person worsens, the formation of complex movements slows down, the correlation of the processes of excitation and inhibition in the central nervous system changes. Involuntary movements are impaired under the influence of the drug, the person loses the ability to control himself.

Penetration of narcotic drugs into the cells of the frontal lobe of the cortex liberates the emotions of the person, unjustified joy, silly laughter, ease of judgment appear. Following the intensifying agitation in the cortex of the greater polus-balls of the brain there is a sharp slackening of the processes of inhibition. The cortex stops controlling the work of the lower sections of the brain. The human being understands restraint and shame, he or she speaks and does things that he or she would never say or do if he or she were in his or her usual state. Each new portion of the drug more and more palsizes the higher nerve centers, as if connecting them and not allowing them to interfere in the activity of the lower brain departments: Coordination of movements is disturbed, for example eye movements (objects start to double), awkward staggering walk appears. The person’s movements become unconfident and are accompanied by unreasonable joy, liveliness and fussiness. However, in 15 percent of people the drug may cause despondency and a desire to sleep. As the content of the substance in the blood increases, the person’s ability to listen and see is weakened and the speed of motor reactions is reduced.

The concentration of drug substances amounting to 0.2 percent affects the brain areas controlling the emotional behavior of the person. In this case low-level instincts and sudden agressiveness appear.

At the concentration of narcotic drugs in 0.3 per cent a person even though is in conscience, but does not understand what he/she sees and hears. This condition is called drug addiction dumbing down. 0.4 percent of narcotic drugs in blood leads to loss of consciousness. The person falls asleep and his breathing becomes uneven. Sense of sensitivity is absent. If there is 0.6-0.7 percent of narcotic in blood, death may occur.

The incidence of drug addiction among adolescents is almost 2.5 times higher than among the general population, drug abuse among adolescents is 6.3 times higher than among people of all ages.>

During the last 10 years the number of drug-related deaths has increased 12-fold and among children 42-fold.  Of particular concern is the fact that in the last decade there has been a 6.5-fold increase in the number of young women and girls using drugs. (Appendix 2).

7. Sociological survey. Attitudes of adolescents towards drug abuse.

Sociological survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of 14-15 year old teenagers towards drug abuse.

The survey was conducted by means of anonymous questionnaire. (Annex 3)

About 27 respondents participated in the survey.

The results are summarized.

Question 1: Do you think that drug addiction is a threat to future generations?

Answer: 93% of the respondents answered that drug use is not a threat to anything. 7% – no, drug addiction is nothing, there is nothing scary or dangerous about it.

Question 2: How do you think people become addicted to drugs?

Answer: A – Under the influence of friends – 4 people, which is 15%;
B – Those who have nothing to do – 5 people become addicts, which is 19%;
C – Those who think that by becoming addicted they can stand out from their peers – 6 people, or 22%;
D – Drug use helps to escape from unsolvable problems – 10 people, equal to 37%;
E – It all starts with smoking and weak will – 7 people, which is 26%.

Question 3: Who is to blame for people starting to take drugs?

Answer: A – Drug dealers- 1 person, which is 3.5%;
B – Mass media – 2 people, which is 7%;
C – Parents – 0 people;
D – The one to blame is the one who starts taking drugs himself – 22 people, which is 81%;
E – Friends – 0;
F – School – 0.

Question 4: Have you ever been asked to try drugs? How did this happen?

Answer: No one has ever tried drugs.

Question 5: If your friend became an addict, would you still treat him or her?

Answer: A – Would help quit the poison -21 people, which is 78%;
B – Unfortunately, I already have such friends – 0;
C – Would stop considering those who started taking drugs as friends – 4 people, which is 14%;

Question 6: What would you suggest to combat drug abuse?

Answer: A – Expand various anti-drug movements – 7 people, which is 26%;
B – To apply harsh measures against distributors of drugs – 17 people, which is 63%;
C – Fill their leisure time with something interesting – 3 people, or 11%;
D – To supplement their knowledge about this terrible evil by reading fiction and informative literature – 1 person, or 3.7%;
D – To parents to closely monitor their children’s behavior and communication – 8 people, or 30%;
F – Invent special medications for those who have become addicted – 7 people, which is 26%;
G – To stop being indifferent to other people’s misfortune – 3 people, which is 11%.

Analyzing the questionnaires, it becomes scary that the surveyed students (7%) believe that drugs are nothing. One has to think about it. 37% have problems they can’t cope with, so they resort to drugs. 14% are indifferent to those who take this potion. And of course it is very pleasant that out of all respondents none have tried drugs, and 11% advise not to be indifferent to others’ misfortunes and 78% would help those who need to give up drugs.

8. Prevention of drug addiction among adolescents

Smoking, alcoholism and drug abuse have become too young in the modern world. There is no guarantee that yesterday a modest and polite child from a well-to-do family will not turn into a drug addict or alcoholic. But it is necessary to try to avoid this problem.

What should be done to prevent a teenager from falling to the bottom, turning into an unnecessary addict to society, and not to exchange the joys of life for the illusion of drug “magic”?

There is nothing more effective than drug prevention. If a person is convinced that a drug is poison, then no amount of persuasion and stories, even from celebrities, will not make him try this substance. Even if the whole world talks about all sorts of experiences, a conscious and enlightened person will not be tempted.

First of all, the prevention of drug addiction in adolescents, as well as other addictions, comes down to the personal example of his parents. What the child sees from an early age, he considers the norm of life. How parents treat smoking, alcohol, what people come to visit, how they socialize and celebrate holidays – all this is imprinted in the mind of the child and forms a certain model of behavior in him.

Drugs and alcohol are seen by many teenagers as a way to relax and escape from a stressful reality. But the task of parents is to contrast such harmful relaxation with other ways of solving problems, and to explain to the teenager that withdrawal into an illusory world is a momentary pleasure, and it is not worth ruining a young life.

The influence of teachers and the media is of great importance in the prevention of teenage drug addiction. But simple lectures are unlikely to impress today’s youth. Much more effective will be the demonstration of a documentary film which clearly shows all the horrors of drug addicts in the perspective of a large-scale tragedy of the whole country. Young people must understand that drug addiction among adolescents – is the path to the extinction of mankind. It is better to prevent such a problem than to try to get rid of it.

Prevention of drug abuse must be done from an early age, instilling a strong aversion and negativity to all kinds of drugs. After the age of 8-10 years, adults can no longer strongly influence the child’s opinion, but until that age the child is like plasticine. Up to the age of 5 or 6, a parent can implant into the kid’s subconscious any attitudes about right and wrong, right and wrong. But this does not mean that there is no going back after that. The existing gap in the knowledge of the teenager about drugs can be quite successfully filled by teachers at school, interesting shows and videos. People who have authority with kids have special power.

There are several strong and truthful feature films about the effects of drugs on a person. The most impressive picture is recognized as “Requiem for a Dream” by Daren Aronofsky, which in a harsh but fair manner describes what happens to drug addicts and what fate awaits them. Children’s attitudes toward drug addiction can be shaped, but it must be done before a teenager meets a drug dealer with a free “treat.”

Youthful attitudes toward addiction and attitudes toward drugs are different things. Drug addicts (like drug addiction) evoke disgust mixed with pity, while drugs are attractive and seem like a door to an otherworldly dimension. This is due to the fact that not one person believes in the possibility of becoming an addict. In order to develop a lasting aversion to drugs, prevention is considered the most effective tool.

Prevention of drug addiction among adolescents. 

1. The beginning of anti-drug education from primary school age. 
2. The expediency and continuity in conducting anti-drug education and anti-drug propaganda.
3. Planning of anti-drug activities taking into account the psychological features of different age groups of students.
4. The correspondence of the hygienic and moral, emotional and substantive aspects in the anti-drug orientation of the students. 
5. Organization of socially and morally wholesome leisure activities and increasing the social activity of students.
6. An integrated approach to anti-drug activities. 
7. Involvement of the students of the senior classes in the anti-drug work.
8. Individual medical and educational work with the contingent at risk with regard to the use of narcotic substances.

Conclusion

Drug addiction “beats” not only the addict himself, but also the people around him. Often people who are inclined to alcoholism neglect their obligations, friends, family and children in order to satisfy their cravings. Addiction to narcotic drugs is the cause of a variety of criminal acts. It is known that 30 percent of all crimes are related to the use of narcotic drugs.

Children are often paid for their parents’ drug dependence. Investigations of neurologically ill children have shown that parents are often the cause of their illnesses.

The fight against drug addiction is the biggest social and medical problem of any state. Even small doses of it can become a cause of great inconveniences or mishaps: trauma, car crashes, loss of employment, breakup of families, loss of spiritual needs and volitional traits of a person.

The scale and pace of drug addiction, the widespread scope of illegal drug trafficking means testify to the low effectiveness of the measures taken. Up to the present time medical and psychologists have not developed effective methods of treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. No effective system of anti-narcotic treatment has been created. Thus, as of today the question of ill-treatment by means of narcotic and psychotropic substances is still relevant, and its final decision is up to the legislators, doctors and society.

Having studied this topic, I also want to contribute to the fight against drug addiction and I offer a set of simple commandments of safe behavior for children and adolescents (Annex 4) and 11 reasons to say: “No to drugs! (Appendix 5)

– Don’t play outside late at night.
– Don’t go alone to remote and deserted places.
– Don’t agree to go anywhere with a stranger; don’t believe his promises.
– Don’t get into someone else’s car without your parents.
– Don’t play with unfamiliar adults.
– Don’t let anyone touch your body.
– Don’t get into an elevator with someone you don’t know.
– Don’t accept gifts or presents from random people.
– Don’t let strangers into your apartment.
– Don’t hide from your parents if someone has done something forbidden to you, threatened you.

11 reasons

1. Drugs push for theft and violence.
2. Drugs cause deformities in children.
3. Drugs destroy families.
4. Drugs lead to psychosis, depression and depression.
5. Drugs cause many diseases and death.
6. Drugs make learning difficult.
7. Drugs often cause accidents.
8. Drugs give a false idea of happiness.
9. Drugs cause the destruction of friendships and loneliness.
10. Drugs make a person weak and weak-willed.
11. Drugs hinder spiritual and creative development, and lead to the loss of jobs and hobbies.

Drug use is one of the most serious problems facing the youth of this country. The number of drug addicts is constantly growing, and their average age is decreasing. In order to objectively determine the seriousness and magnitude of the problem associated with the non-medical use of drugs and to assess the effectiveness of drug policy, we must use all the information about the prevalence of this phenomenon and related individual and socio-cultural factors. 

I think we should hope that in the years to come parents will have better and more beautiful children than they have. Children’s lives will not be marred by the drug potion: their physical and spiritual development will not be contaminated. And our children, in turn, will be healthy.