Adolescents
who engage in drug abuse persistently face an array of possible problems and
issues including:
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School Problems: A lowered commitment to education, declining grades, absenteeism
from school and related activities, increased potential for dropping out, and
higher truancy rates are linked to drug abuse by adolescents. Adolescents’
cognitive and behavioral problems precipitated by drug abuse not only affect
their own academic performance, but also may disrupt learning by their peers.
School Problems: A lowered commitment to education, declining grades, absenteeism
from school and related activities, increased potential for dropping out, and
higher truancy rates are linked to drug abuse by adolescents. Adolescents’
cognitive and behavioral problems precipitated by drug abuse not only affect
their own academic performance, but also may disrupt learning by their peers.
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Health and Safety Consequences. Accidental injuries, physical disabilities, diseases,
and possible overdoses are among the risks for adolescents engaged in drug
abuse. Drug-related suicides, homicides, accidents, and illnesses may result in
death for some adolescents. Drug abuse increases the risk that adolescents will
contract HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Injection of psychoactive
substances with unsterile needles and other equipment is strongly associated
with transmission of HIV. The effects of mood-altering substances, such as poor
judgment and diminished impulse control, may result in youth being more likely
to engage in unprotected sex.
Health and Safety Consequences. Accidental injuries, physical disabilities, diseases,
and possible overdoses are among the risks for adolescents engaged in drug
abuse. Drug-related suicides, homicides, accidents, and illnesses may result in
death for some adolescents. Drug abuse increases the risk that adolescents will
contract HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Injection of psychoactive
substances with unsterile needles and other equipment is strongly associated
with transmission of HIV. The effects of mood-altering substances, such as poor
judgment and diminished impulse control, may result in youth being more likely
to engage in unprotected sex.
§
Peer Relationships. Adolescents who engage in drug abuse may be alienated
from and stigmatized by their peers. They often disengage from school and
community activities because of their substance abuse, depriving their peers
and communities of the positive contributions they might otherwise make.
Peer Relationships. Adolescents who engage in drug abuse may be alienated
from and stigmatized by their peers. They often disengage from school and
community activities because of their substance abuse, depriving their peers
and communities of the positive contributions they might otherwise make.
§
Social, Developmental, and Emotional
Consequences: Adolescents who abuse
drugs often experience depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and
other psychosocial disorders. Drug abuse adolescents are at higher risk for
conduct problems, depression, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, completed
suicide, and personality disorders.
Social, Developmental, and Emotional
Consequences: Adolescents who abuse
drugs often experience depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and
other psychosocial disorders. Drug abuse adolescents are at higher risk for
conduct problems, depression, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, completed
suicide, and personality disorders.
§
Family Issues: Drug abuse also jeopardizes many aspects of family
life and may both lead to and result from dysfunctional families. Siblings and
parents are affected profoundly by adolescents involved in abuse of drugs. Drug
abuse and its consequences may drain family financial and emotional resources.
Family Issues: Drug abuse also jeopardizes many aspects of family
life and may both lead to and result from dysfunctional families. Siblings and
parents are affected profoundly by adolescents involved in abuse of drugs. Drug
abuse and its consequences may drain family financial and emotional resources.
§
Social and Economic Costs: Monetary expenditures and emotional distress related
to drug-related crimes by youth affect many others in the community. Often
there is an additional burden for the support of adolescents who are not able
to support themselves. Further, drug-abusing adolescents increase the overall
demands for treatment of substance abuse and medical conditions.
Social and Economic Costs: Monetary expenditures and emotional distress related
to drug-related crimes by youth affect many others in the community. Often
there is an additional burden for the support of adolescents who are not able
to support themselves. Further, drug-abusing adolescents increase the overall
demands for treatment of substance abuse and medical conditions.
