3 Social Activities We Strongly DIScourage Youth From Doing

Recently we shared an article about the local news story covering the tragic death of a Charlotte youth who had died from a drug overdose. Unfortunately, this story and similar stories are becoming all too common, not just in our community, but all over the nation. So we asked the question, “How do we prevent drug and alcohol abuse among our youth?” So many things influence youth culture, which makes it hard for parents and other adults to get through to them. But, if we are going to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among youth and young adults, we have to find a way.

We know that it is important to instill positive values in our youth, especially when there is so much negative attention in the media and online through social media today. But how will our youth know is acceptable behavior if we don’t also show them what we believe is unacceptable? We have pulled together a list of things that we believe are important to tell your teens and young adults NOT to do, when it comes to drugs and alcohol. All of them are not illegal per se, however, because youth have a higher risk for drug abuse than adults, we think it’s important to encourage youth to think twice about these things before it’s too late. Do you agree?

Here Are The 3 Things We Strongly Advise Young People Against

#1: Drinking Alcohol

Even though it may be socially acceptable (even for some teens), we advise young people under the age of 25 against drinking alcohol. Why? Studies show alcohol is the #1 most abused drug for youth 25 and younger. Getting alcohol is simple since they can easily get it from a person 21 or older, and for those old enough to buy it, it’s cheap. This poses 2 problems:

1. The illegal drinking of alcohol for individuals under the age of 21; and
2. Binge drinking, which can lead to alcohol poisoning, DWI arrests, heart disease or even death

Both of these problems are very dangerous and very real among youth 18-25. According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH), youth between the age 18 and 25 have the highest number of binge drinkers, with the highest number of binge drinkers in the age range of 21-22. (1)

We realize not every young adult under the age of 25 is irresponsible, so we dare not make a blanket statement like this without also saying that if you do choose to drink, please make sure you are of the legal age and drink responsibly. And even if you are old enough to drink, do not drink and drive!

#2: Misuse Over-The-Counter and/or Prescription Drugs

Taking any drug or medication for other than it’s intended use is drug abuse. Teens and youth abuse common over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as cough syrups and painkillers by taking more than the recommended dose. Another common way youth abuse OTC drugs is by mixing them with alcohol.

The misuse of prescription drugs can also lead to abuse. Because they are so easy to find – either in their own medicine cabinet or in a friend’s house – prescription drugs are too easy to come by, which explains why they are often abused. Of course taking a medication as prescribed is not the problem. The problem is when teens and young adults take the drug for a purpose other than intended. From snorting crushed pills to mixing them with other liquids to inject or swallow, prescription drugs are popular ways for young people to “get high.” That feeling of euphoria is why many people who abuse prescription drugs become addicted to substances which makes it even harder to quit.

Here are some startling facts about the risks for youth who abuse prescription drugs from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

Teens who abuse prescription drugs are…

• 2x as likely to use alcohol
• 5x more likely to use marijuana
• 12 – 20x more likely to use illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine or Ecstacy
  …as youth who do not abuse prescription drugs. (2)

#3: Smoking Cigarettes

Yes, we know the legal age for smoking cigarettes is 18 in most states, which may make this a socially acceptable thing to do for youth. However, the reason we would advise youth not to smoke is because like alcohol, cigarettes can lead to other risks for youth that do not affect older adults as much. For instance the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University published a report that shows 9 of out 10 people who abuse drugs started smoking or drinking before the age of 18. Their report also showed that the younger someone is when they use tobacco, the more likely they are to develop a substance use disorder. For many young people, cigarettes are just as addictive as other more dangerous substances are for older adults. This is also why people who smoke cigarettes when they are young are at a higher risk of using other drugs that can be inhaled such as marijuana and heroin.(2)

Sources

1. National Survey on Drug Use & Health
2. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University