The availability of drugs at schools has definitely increased over
the last ten years although the overall use of illicit
drugs has declined. Yet too many teenagers are still
abusing drugs. In the National Institute on Drug Abuse
2005 Monitoring the Future survey researchers found that
50% of high school seniors report some use of an illicit
drug during their life.
Drugs are easily obtained and teenagers know who they
can contact to get them.
The Bureau of Justice reports that 85% of teens say they
know where to get marijuana and 55% know how to get
amphetamines. Knowledge of drug availability is similar
regardless of race or location. Students living in
rural, suburban, and urban areas all reported similar
levels of drug availability at about 35% overall. Even
more frightening is that 29% of students say that
someone has "offered, sold, or given them an illegal
drug on school property."
Some officials believe that the percentages of actual
drug abuse are low because of the number of teenagers
that have dropped out or are truant are not represented
in the survey. These teenagers often have a higher
involvement with drugs than those still in school.
Alcohol is the most common substance used, with 75% of
seniors having at least tried alcohol and 23% within the
last month. Alcohol use is often glamorized in the media
and teens try to imitate the behaviors they see.
Cigarettes are the next most common drugs abused by
teenagers. Most teens assume they can quit smoking at
will. Instead they often find themselves addicted. Few
people start smoking after the teenage years.
Marijuana has been used by 44% of seniors. The NIDA
reports that 60% of teens that do use drugs use
marijuana. The most recent survey found that fewer
eighth graders today see a risk in smoking marijuana
than in the past.
Inhalants are the most commonly abused illegal drug
among those in middle school with 17.1% of eight graders
having tried them. Inhalants are cheap and easily
purchased. Most of them are common household substances
like paint thinners, glues, spray paint, whipped cream
dispensers, hair sprays and other substances.
Prescription Drug use among teenagers has been rising at
a rate of 25% per year since 2001. Most teens take
prescription drugs because of personal or family-related
stress.
Many teenagers are getting the message through school,
parents, and the media that drugs are harmful. But many
are still not receiving or are choosing to ignore the
message. The best way to combat teenage drug abuse is by
education that means consistently talking about drugs
both formally and informally.
