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Essay on Drug Addiction in Youth

Essay on the Signs of Drug Addiction

Essay on the causes of drug addiction, essay on the effects of drug addiction.

• Essay on the Prevention of Drug Addiction
• Essay on the Treatment of Drug Addiction

The most disturbing thing about drug addiction is that people in different countries of the world are becoming addicted to all kinds of drugs. There are different types of street drugs such as – cocaine, meth, marijuana, crack, heroin etc. Heroin is one of the dangerous drugs that suppress your heart’s work and is appropriate to achieve narcotic effect.

The alarming rate of drug consumption has always been a problem and has detrimental effects on the society. Personal and family problems also lead to drug abuse among youngsters who fail to deal with personal problems. The physiological effects of drug addiction can be difficult to endure and this is why the addict must be treated for their condition. The worst thing is that drugs are that they affect youth in every country of the world.

The term drug not only means medicine, but fatal narcotics with different specifications. These drugs have their evil effects on mind and body cells of the addicts. The addict becomes dependent on the drug to a great extent that he/she cannot stop using it. Despite of having full knowledge of its effects on health, addicts use it on a regular basis.

Drug addiction is basically a brain disease that changes the functioning of brain. There is an uncontrollable desire to consume drugs, as a result of which addicted people engage in compulsive behavior to take drugs. The addicts find it impossible to control the intake of drugs, as a result of which they fail to fulfill day-to-day responsibilities in efficient manner. Drug addiction is also referred as drug dependency, as the addict develops dependency for particular substance.

Drug addiction is a compulsive disorder that leads an individual to use substance habitually to achieve desired outcome. Millions of people in the world are suffering with drug addiction and the number is expected to increase in the coming years. If the person is using drugs for a longer period, the outcome may change. For example – early experimentation with drugs is rooted in curiosity. However, as the frequency of substance becomes frequent – the body starts to depend in it to function properly.

The most common signs and symptoms of drug addiction are – obsession with a particular substance, loss of control over the usage of drugs, abandoning the activities which you used to enjoy, etc. Drug addiction may have long term impact on life and one may develop severe symptoms such as – fatigue, trembling, depression, anxiety, headache, insomnia, chills and sweating, paranoia, behavior changes, dilated pupils, poor coordination problems, nausea etc.

There are a number of reasons why youth and teenagers are addicted to drugs or related substances. Lack of self-confidence is considered as one of the primary causes of drug addiction. It can also be due to excessive stress, peer pressure, lack of parental involvement in child’s activities etc. some people consider drug addiction can be the cause of drug use and ignorance. The ignorance of drug addiction along with physical pain of condition becomes a primary cause of drug addiction. Here are some of the causes of drug addiction.

High Level Stress

Young people who have just started their college life or moved to a new city in search of job often face problems with life change. They are more likely to alleviate stress through the use of drugs and similar substances. Finding an easy fix often seems easier than facing the real problem and dealing with it. Trying illegal drugs can lead to addiction and becomes a long term habit.

Social Pressure

Today, we are living in a highly competitive world and it is difficult to grow in such world. There is always a peer pressure in young and old people. However, it is never visible. A lot of young people expect to experience the pressure to use drugs, smoke and drink alcohol. Young people find it difficult to be the person who doesn’t drink or smoke. As they feel isolated and like a social outcast, they make a habit of taking drugs.

Mental Health Conditions

Another primary reason for trying drugs is mental health condition. People who are emotionally weaker tend to feel depressed about the facts of the world. They look for ways to feel free and live life in a normal way as they go through the period of growing up. In such situation, they make a habit of taking drugs and can lead to addiction.

Psychological Trauma

A history of psychological trauma appears to increase the risk of substance abuse. More than 75% of people who suffered from psychological trauma use drugs as a part of self-medicating strategy or provide an avenue towards self-destructive behaviors. Women are more sensitive to drugs than men, and hence need less exposure to similar effects. The availability of these drugs plays an integral role in perpetuation of addictive behaviors within families.

Exposure to Drug Abuse

Exposure to drug abuse in which the young people are raised is another cause why young people get addicted to drugs. If the individuals grow up in an area where adults use drugs, then the person is likely to try the substance themselves. Setting a good example is extremely important to keep them off drugs and related substances. Providing genuine information about drugs is the best way to prevent drug addiction.

There are many negative effects of drug addiction on physical and mental health. As said, drug addiction refers to compulsive and repeated use of dangerous substances. The effects of drug addiction are wide and profound. The psychological effects of drug addiction comes form the reason that the user is addicted to drugs as well as the changes that take place in brain. Many people start using drugs to handle stress. However, the psychological effects of drug addiction involves craving of the substance and using it to the exclusion of all else.

Emotional Effects

The emotional effects of drug addiction include – mood swings, depression, violence, anxiety, decrease in everyday activities, hallucinations, confusion, psychological tolerance to drug effects etc. Besides these, there are many physical effects of drug addiction that are seen in the systems of the body. The primary effects of drug addiction take place in brain, which changes the brain functions and impacts how the body perceives pleasure.

Physical Effects

Other effects of drug addiction include – heart attack, irregular heartbeat, and contraction of HIV, respiratory problems, lung cancer, abdominal pain, kidney damage, liver problem, brain damage, stroke, seizures, and changes in appetite. The impact of drug addiction can be far-reaching and affects every organ of the body. Excessive usage of drugs can weaken immune system and increase susceptibility to infection.

Brain & Liver Damage

The effects of drug addiction are seen in people because the drug floods the brain repeatedly with chemicals such as – serotonin and dopamine. The brain becomes highly dependent on these drugs and cannot function without them. The effects of drug addiction are also seen in babies of drug abusers and can be affected throughout their life.

Drug addiction can cause the liver to work harder, causing significant liver failure or damage. Regarding brain function, drugs can impact daily activities by causing problems with memory, decision making, mental confusion and even permanent brain damage.

Short Term Effects

Different drugs affect body in different ways. There are some short term effects that occur in drug users depending on the amount of substance used, its purity and potency. Drugs can affect the person’s thinking, mood and perception to a great extent. Drugs can temporarily impair motor functioning and interfere with decision making and even reduce inhibition. The most common substances of drug addiction include – opiates, alcohol, barbiturates, inhalants etc.

A lot of people do not realize the damage caused by drug addiction because the short term effects are not apparent at first. The individual may feel quite invincible and unaware that drugs can actually affect almost every system in the body. The long lasting effects of drug addiction may not be known to addict. If treatment is not sought in time, the physical and emotional health will deteriorate.

Long Term Effects

The long term effects of drug addiction can have disastrous consequences on physical and mental health. As the body adapts to the substance, it needs increasing amount of it to experience the desired outcome. As the individual continues to increase the dosage, he/she may develop physical dependence. The individual may face deadly withdrawal symptoms, once he/she stops using the substance.

Legal Consequences

Drug abuse not only causes negative effects on your physical and mental health, but can have legal consequences. Individuals may have to deal with the legal consequences for the rest of their life. A lot of companies require the employees to take drug test before offering job. Driving under the influence of drugs can lead to serious legal action and even heavy fines.

By understanding the physical impact of the substance, individuals can make informed decision regarding their health. Remember that it is never late to seek help, when it comes to treat drug addiction. There are many rehabilitation centers that help you combat drug addiction in a supportive environment.

Essay on the P revention of Drug Addiction

As said, prevention is always better than cure. It is always best option to deter people from drug abuse. Though it is practically impossible to prevent everyone from using drugs, there are things we can do to avoid drug addiction. Here are some effective tips to prevent drug addiction.

Deal with Peer Pressure

The biggest reason why people start using drugs is because of their friends or colleagues who utilize per pressure. No one in this world likes to be left out, especially teens and youngsters. If you are in such situation, you should find a better group of friends who won’t pressure you into harmful things. You should plan ahead of time or prepare a good excuse to stay away from tempting situations.

Treat Emotional Illness

Individuals suffering with any mental condition such as – anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress etc. should seek help from a physiatrist. There is a strong connection between mental illness and drug addiction. Those with weak emotional status may easily turn to drugs.

Learn to Deal with Pressure

People of today’s generation are overworked and often feel like taking a good break. However, they make the mistake of turning to drugs and end up making life more stressful. Many of us fail to recognize this. The best way is to find other ways to handle stress. Whether it is taking up exercising or reading a good book, you should try positive things that help in relieving stress.

Understand the Risk Factors

If you are not aware of the risk factors of drug addiction, you should first know about drug abuse. Individuals who are aware of the physical and emotional effects of drug addiction are likely to overcome them. People take up drugs when something in their life is not going well and they are unhappy about their life. One should always look at the big picture and focus on priorities, instead of worrying about short term goals.

Develop Healthy Habits

Eating a well-balanced diet and doing regular exercise is the best way to prevent drug addiction. A healthy body makes it easier for people to deal with stress and handle life effectively, which eventually reduces the temptation to use drugs.

The above tips are a just a few ideas that can help prevent drug addiction. However, if the person has already developed drug addiction, he/she should seek drug detox treatment at the earliest.

Essay on the T reatment of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction can be managed effectively like other chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma etc. Treatment of drug addiction is becoming personalized. The comprehensive treatment options not only address addiction, but treat the underlying issues resulting in addiction.

Though there are many options to treat drug addiction, it is not easy. Drug addiction is a chronic disease and one can’t stop using drugs within a few days. A lot of patients need long term or repeated care to stop using drugs completely. Drug addiction treatment depends on the severity of drug abuse. The treatment must stop the person from using drugs as well as keep him away from drugs.

Different treatment methodologies are employed in treating drug abuse. The treatment plan will be devised as per the condition of the addict. It is essential that the treatment is tailored to the unique individual as there is no single treatment that works for all.

Inpatient drug abuse treatment is one of the options that allow the addict to focus on his/her recovery. Attending this treatment facility can increase the chances of completing the drug addiction rehabilitation program, especially if the addict does not have good support system at home.

Outpatient drug abuse treatment is ideal for those addicts who have a supportive environment at home. It is usually recommended for those who want to attend short-term inpatient treatment program.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is another treatment option that is highly effective in treating drug addiction issues. CBT helps in controlling negative thought patterns that lead to drug abuse. Patients can identify the triggers that cause them to use drugs and learn to respond without the need to turn to the substance.

Drug addiction is a complex disease that results from a number of factors such as genetic predisposition, history of violence at home and stress. Researchers have been able to identify the factors that lead to drug abuse. Understanding the root cause of drug addiction is one of the best ways to improve treatment options and outcomes of drug addiction in future.

A lot of people do not understand why people get addicted to drugs and related substances. They mistakenly view drug abuse as a social problem and characterize the addict as a weak person. Though there is no scientific evidence on how exactly drugs work in brain, it can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs. There are many treatments that help people counteract the disruptive effects of drug addiction and regain complete control over life.

Behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success in most of the drug addicts. The treatment approaches are tailored to meet the drug abuse pattern of patients. It is not uncommon for an individual to relapse and start drug abuse again. In such case, an alternate treatment is required to regain control and recover completely.

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• v.14(11); 2022 Nov

Substance Abuse Amongst Adolescents: An Issue of Public Health Significance

1 School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, IND

Sonali G Choudhari

2 School of Epidemiology and Public Health; Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, IND

Sarika U Dakhode

3 Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College, Amravati, IND

Asmita Rannaware

Abhay m gaidhane.

Adolescence is a crucial time for biological, psychological, and social development. It is also a time when substance addiction and its adverse effects are more likely to occur. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to the negative long-term effects of substance use, including mental health illnesses, sub-par academic performance, substance use disorders, and higher chances of getting addicted to alcohol and marijuana. Over the past few decades, there have been substantial changes in the types of illegal narcotics people consume. The present article deals with the review of substance abuse as a public health problem, its determinants, and implications seen among adolescents. A systematic literature search using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar was undertaken to search all relevant literature on teenage stimulant use. The findings have been organized into categories to cover essential aspects like epidemiology, neurobiology, prevention, and treatment. The review showed that substance addiction among adolescents between 12 to 19 years is widespread, though national initiatives exist to support young employment and their development. Research on psychological risk factors for teenage substance abuse is vast, wherein conduct disorders, including aggression, impulsivity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, have been mentioned as risk factors for substance use. Parents' attitudes toward drugs, alcohol, academic and peer pressure, stress, and physical outlook are key determinants. Teenage drug usage has a significant negative impact on users, families, and society as a whole. It was found that a lot has been done to provide correct intervention to those in need with the constant development of programs and rehabilitative centers to safeguard the delicate minds of youths and prevent them from using intoxicants. Still, there is much need for stringent policy and program guidelines to curb this societal menace. 

Introduction and background

Drug misuse is a widespread issue; in 2016, 5.6% of people aged 15 to 26 reported using drugs at least once [ 1 ]. Because alcohol and illegal drugs represent significant issues for public health and urgent care, children and adolescents frequently visit emergency rooms [ 2 ]. It is well known that younger people take drugs more often than older adults for most drugs. Drug usage is on the rise in many Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly among young males between the ages of 15 and 30 years [ 3 ]. According to the 2013 Global Burden of Disease report, drug addiction is a growing problem among teenagers and young people. Early substance use increases the likelihood of future physical, behavioral, social, and health issues [ 4 ]. Furthermore, recreational drug use is a neglected contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality [ 5 ]. One of the adverse outcomes of adolescent substance use is the increased risk of addiction in those who start smoking, drinking, and taking drugs before they are of 18 years. Moreover, most individuals with Substance Use Disorders begin using substances when they are young [ 6 ]. Substance use disorders amongst adolescents have long-term adverse health effects but can be mitigated with efficient treatment [ 7 ].

Childhood abuse is linked to suicidal thoughts and attempts. The particular mental behavior that mediates the link between childhood trauma and adult suicidal ideation and attempts is yet unknown. Recent studies show teens experiencing suicidal thoughts, psychiatric illness symptoms like anxiety, mood, and conduct disorders, and various types of child maltreatment like sexual abuse, corporal punishment, and emotional neglect that further leads to children inclining toward intoxicants [ 8 ]. Although teen substance use has generally decreased over the past five years, prolonged opioid, marijuana, and binge drinking use are still common among adolescents and young adults [ 9 ]. Drug-using students are more prone to commit crimes, including bullying and violent behavior. It has also been connected to various mental conditions, depending on the substance used. On the other hand, it has been linked to social disorder, abnormal behavior, and association with hostile groups [ 10 ]. Adolescent substance users suffer risks and consequences on the psychological, sociocultural, or behavioral levels that may manifest physiologically [ 11 ]. About 3 million deaths worldwide were caused by alcohol consumption alone. The majority of the 273,000 preventable fatalities linked to alcohol consumption are in India [ 12 ], which is the leading contributor. The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime conducted a national survey on the extent, patterns, and trends of drug abuse in India in 2003, which found that there were 2 million opiate users, 8.7 million cannabis users, and 62.5 million alcohol users in India, of whom 17% to 20% are dependent [ 13 ]. According to prevalence studies, 13.1% of drug users in India are under the age of 20 [ 14 ].

In India, alcohol and tobacco are legal drugs frequently abused and pose significant health risks, mainly when the general populace consumes them. States like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have the highest rates of drug abuse, and the Indian government works hard to provide them with helpful services that educate and mentor them. This increases the burden of non-communicable illnesses too [ 15 ]. In addition, several substances/drugs are Narcotic and Psychotropic and used despite the act named ‘Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. 

This review article sheds light on ‘substance abuse’ amongst adolescents as an issue of public health significance, its determinants, and its implications on the health and well-being of adolescents.

Methodology

The present article deals with the narrative review of substance abuse as a public health problem, its determinants, and implications seen among adolescents. A systematic literature search using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar was undertaken to search all relevant literature on teenage stimulant use. The findings have been organized into categories to cover essential aspects like epidemiology, neurobiology, prevention, and treatment. Various keywords used under TiAb of PubMed advanced search were Stimulants, "Drug abuse", "Psychotropic substance", "Substance abuse", addiction, and Adolescents, teenage, children, students, youth, etc., including MeSH terms. Figure ​ Figure1 1 shows the key substances used by youth.

Reasons for abuse

People may initially choose to take drugs for psychological and physical reasons. Psychological issues, including mental illness, traumatic experiences, or even general attitudes and ideas, might contribute to drug usage. Several factors can contribute to emotional and psychosocial stress, compelling one to practice drug abuse. It can be brought on by a loss of a job because of certain reasons, the death of a loved one, a parent's divorce, or financial problems. Even medical diseases and health problems can have a devastating emotional impact. Many take medicines to increase their physical stamina, sharpen their focus, or improve their looks.

Students are particularly prone to get indulged in substance abuse due to various reasons, like academic and peer pressure, the appeal of popularity and identification, readily available pocket money, and relatively easy accessibility of several substances, especially in industrial, urban elite areas, including nicotine (cigarettes) [ 16 , 17 ]. In addition, a relationship breakup, mental illness, environmental factors, self-medication, financial concerns, downtime, constraints of work and school, family obligations, societal pressure, abuse, trauma, boredom, curiosity, experimentation, rebellion, to be in control, enhanced performance, isolation, misinformation, ignorance, instant gratification, wide availability can be one of the reasons why one chooses this path [ 18 ].

The brain grows rapidly during adolescence and continues to do so until early adulthood, as is well documented. According to studies using structural magnetic resonance imaging, changes in cortical grey matter volume and thickness during development include linear and nonlinear transformations and increases in white matter volume and integrity. This delays the maturation of grey and white matter, resulting in poorer sustained attention [ 19 ]. Alcohol drinking excessively increases the likelihood of accidents and other harmful effects by impairing cognitive functions like impulse control and decision-making and motor functions like balance and hand-eye coordination [ 20 ]. Lower-order sensory motor regions of the brain mature first, followed by limbic areas crucial for processing rewards. The development of different brain regions follows different time-varying trajectories. Alcohol exposure has adversely affected various emotional, mental, and social functions in the frontal areas linked to higher-order cognitive functioning that emerge later in adolescence and young adulthood [ 21 ].

Smoking/e-cigarettes

The use of tobacco frequently begins before adulthood. A worryingly high percentage of schoolchildren between 13 and 15 have tried or are currently using tobacco, according to the global youth tobacco survey [ 22 ]. It is more likely that early adolescent cigarette usage will lead to nicotine dependence and adult cigarette use. Teenage smoking has been associated with traumatic stress, anxiety, and mood problems [ 23 ]. Nicotine usage has been associated with a variety of adolescent problems, including sexual risk behaviors, aggressiveness, and the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. High levels of impulsivity have been identified in adolescent smokers.

Additionally, compared to non-smokers, smoking is associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders in teenagers. Smoking is positively associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts [ 24 ]. Peer pressure, attempting something new, and stress management ranked top for current and former smokers [ 25 ]. Most teenagers say that when they start to feel down, they smoke to make themselves feel better and return to their usual, upbeat selves. Smoking may have varying effects on people's moods [ 26 ]. Teenagers who smoke seem more reckless, less able to control their impulses, and less attentive than non-smokers [ 27 ].

Cannabis/Marijuana

Marijuana is among the most often used illegal psychotropic substances in India and internationally. The prevalence of marijuana usage and hospitalizations related to marijuana are rising, especially among young people, according to current trends. Cannabis usage has been connected to learning, working memory, and attention problems. Cannabis has been shown to alleviate stress in small doses, but more significant amounts can cause anxiety, emotional symptoms, and dependence [ 28 ]. Myelination and synaptic pruning are two maturational brain processes that take place during adolescence and the early stages of adulthood. According to reports, these remodeling mechanisms are linked to efficient neural processing. They are assumed to provide the specialized cognitive processing needed for the highest neurocognitive performance. On a prolonged attentional processing test, marijuana usage before age 16 was linked to a shorter reaction time [ 29 ]. Cannabis use alters the endocannabinoid system, impacting executive function, reward function, and affective functions. It is believed that these disturbances are what lead to mental health problems [ 30 ].

MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) was a synthetic drug used legally in psychotherapy treatment throughout the 1970s, despite the lack of data demonstrating its efficacy. Molly, or the phrase "molecular," is typically utilized in powder form. Serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are produced more significantly when MDMA is used. In the brain, these neurotransmitters affect mood, sleep, and appetite. Serotonin also causes the release of other hormones that may cause emotions of intimacy and attraction. Because of this, users might be more affectionate than usual and possibly develop ties with total strangers. The effects wear off three to six hours later, while a moderate dose may cause withdrawal symptoms to continue for a week. These symptoms include a decline in sex interest, a drop in appetite, problems sleeping, confusion, impatience, anxiety, sorrow, Impulsivity and violence, issues with memory and concentration, and insomnia are a few of them. Unsettlingly, it is rising in popularity in India, particularly among teenagers [ 31 ].

Opium 

In addition to being a top producer of illicit opium, India is a significant drug consumer. In India, opium has a long history. The most common behavioral changes are a lack of motivation, depression, hyperactivity, a lack of interest or concentration, mood swings or abrupt behavior changes, confusion or disorientation, depression, anxiety, distortion of reality perception, social isolation, slurred or slow-moving speech, reduced coordination, a loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, taking from family members or engaging in other illegal activity [ 32 ]. Except for the chemical produced for medicinal purposes, it is imperative to prohibit both production and usage since if a relatively well-governed nation like India cannot stop the drug from leaking, the problem must be huge in scope [ 33 ].

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that causes various psychiatric syndromes, illnesses, and symptoms. Some symptoms include agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, violence, and thoughts of suicide and murder. They may be caused by the substance directly or indirectly through the aggravation of co-occurring psychiatric conditions. More frequent and severe symptoms are frequently linked to the usage of cocaine in "crack" form. Cocaine can potentially worsen numerous mental diseases and cause various psychiatric symptoms.

Table ​ Table1 1 discusses the short- and long-term effects of substance abuse.

Other cheap substances ( sasta nasha ) used in India

India is notorious for phenomena that defy comprehension. People in need may turn to readily available items like Iodex sandwiches, fevibond, sanitizer, whitener, etc., for comfort due to poverty and other circumstances to stop additional behavioral and other changes in youth discouragement is necessary [ 42 - 44 ]. 

Curbing drug abuse amongst youth

Seventy-five percent of Indian households contain at least one addict. The majority of them are fathers who act in this way due to boredom, stress from their jobs, emotional discomfort, problems with their families, or problems with their spouses. Due to exposure to such risky behaviors, children may try such intoxicants [ 45 ]. These behaviors need to be discouraged because they may affect the child's academic performance, physical growth, etc. The youngster starts to feel depressed, lonely, agitated and disturbed. Because they primarily revolve around educating students about the dangers and long-term impacts of substance abuse, previous attempts at prevention have all been ineffective. To highlight the risks of drug use and scare viewers into abstaining, some programs stoked terror. The theoretical underpinning of these early attempts was lacking, and they failed to consider the understanding of the developmental, social, and other etiologic factors that affect teenage substance use. These tactics are based on a simple cognitive conceptual paradigm that says that people's decisions to use or abuse substances depend on how well they are aware of the risks involved. More effective contemporary techniques are used over time [ 46 ]. School-based substance abuse prevention is a recent innovation utilized to execute changes, including social resistance skills training, normative education, and competence enhancement skills training.

Peer pressure makes a teenager vulnerable to such intoxicants. Teenagers are often exposed to alcohol, drugs, and smoking either because of pressure from their friends or because of being lonely. Social resistance training skills are used to achieve this. The pupils are instructed in the best ways to steer clear of or manage these harmful situations. The best method to respond to direct pressure to take drugs or alcohol is to know what to say (i.e., the specific content of a refusal message) and how to say it. These skills must be taught as a separate curriculum in every school to lower risk. Standard instructional methods include lessons and exercises to dispel misconceptions regarding drug usage's widespread use. 

Teenagers typically exaggerate how common it is to smoke, drink, and use particular substances, which could give off the impression that substance usage is acceptable. We can lessen young people's perceptions of the social acceptability of drug use by educating them that actual rates of drug usage are almost always lower than perceived rates of use. Data from surveys that were conducted in the classroom, school, or local community that demonstrate the prevalence of substance use in the immediate social setting may be used to support this information. If not, this can be taught using statistics from national surveys, which usually show prevalence rates that are far lower than what kids describe.

The role social learning processes have in teen drug use is recognized by competency-improvement programs, and there is awareness about how adolescents who lack interpersonal and social skills are more likely to succumb to peer pressure to use drugs. These young people might also be more inclined to turn to drug usage instead of healthier coping mechanisms. Most competency enhancement strategies include instruction in many of the following life skills: general problem-solving and decision-making skills, general cognitive abilities for fending off peer or media pressure, skills for enhancing self-control, adaptive coping mechanisms for reducing stress and anxiety through the use of cognitive coping mechanisms or be behavioral relaxation techniques, and general social and assertive skills [ 46 ].

Programs formulated to combat the growing risk of substance abuse

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare developed Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram for teenagers aged 10 to 19, with a focus on improving nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, preventing injuries and violence, and preventing substance abuse. By enabling them to make informed and responsible decisions about their health and well-being and ensuring that they have access to the tools and assistance they need, the program seeks to enable all adolescents in India in realizing their full potential [ 47 ].

For the past six years, ‘Nasha Mukti Kendra’ in India and rehabilitation have worked to improve lives and provide treatment for those who abuse alcohol and other drugs. They provide cost-effective and dedicated therapy programs for all parts of society. Patients come to them from all around the nation. Despite having appropriate programs and therapies that can effectively treat the disorder, they do not employ medication to treat addiction.

Conclusions

Around the world, adolescent drug and alcohol addiction has significantly increased morbidity and mortality. The menace of drugs and alcohol has been woven deep into the fabric of society. As its effects reach our youth, India's current generation is at high stake for the risk associated with the abuse of drugs like cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco. Even though the issue of substance abuse is complicated and pervasive, various stakeholders like healthcare professionals, community leaders, and educational institutions have access to a wealth of evidence-based research that can assist them to adopt interventions that can lower rates of teenage substance misuse. It is realized that while this problem is not specific to any one country or culture, individual remedies might not always be beneficial. Due to the unacceptably high rate of drug abuse that is wreaking havoc on humanity, a strategy for addressing modifiable risk factors is crucial. Because human psychology and mental health influence the choices the youth make related to their indulgence in drug misuse, it is the need of the hour to give serious consideration to measures like generating awareness, counseling, student guidance cells, positive parenting, etc., across the world. It will take time to change this substance misuse behavior, but the more effort we put into it, the greater the reward we will reap.

The content published in Cureus is the result of clinical experience and/or research by independent individuals or organizations. Cureus is not responsible for the scientific accuracy or reliability of data or conclusions published herein. All content published within Cureus is intended only for educational, research and reference purposes. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. Do not disregard or avoid professional medical advice due to content published within Cureus.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Understanding reasons for drug use amongst young people: a functional perspective

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Annabel Boys, John Marsden, John Strang, Understanding reasons for drug use amongst young people: a functional perspective, Health Education Research , Volume 16, Issue 4, August 2001, Pages 457–469, https://doi.org/10.1093/her/16.4.457

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This study uses a functional perspective to examine the reasons young people cite for using psychoactive substances. The study sample comprised 364 young poly-drug users recruited using snowball-sampling methods. Data on lifetime and recent frequency and intensity of use for alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD and cocaine are presented. A majority of the participants had used at least one of these six drugs to fulfil 11 of 18 measured substance use functions. The most popular functions for use were using to: relax (96.7%), become intoxicated (96.4%), keep awake at night while socializing (95.9%), enhance an activity (88.5%) and alleviate depressed mood (86.8%). Substance use functions were found to differ by age and gender. Recognition of the functions fulfilled by substance use should help health educators and prevention strategists to make health messages about drugs more relevant and appropriate to general and specific audiences. Targeting substances that are perceived to fulfil similar functions and addressing issues concerning the substitution of one substance for another may also strengthen education and prevention efforts.

The use of illicit psychoactive substances is not a minority activity amongst young people in the UK. Results from the most recent British Crime Survey show that some 50% of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 years have used an illicit drug on at least one occasion in their lives (lifetime prevalence) ( Ramsay and Partridge, 1999 ). Amongst 16–19 and 20–24 year olds the most prevalent drug is cannabis (used by 40% of 16–19 year olds and 47% of 20–24 year olds), followed by amphetamine sulphate (18 and 24% of the two age groups respectively), LSD (10 and 13%) and ecstasy (8 and 12%). The lifetime prevalence for cocaine hydrochloride (powder cocaine) use amongst the two age groups is 3 and 9%, respectively. Collectively, these estimates are generally comparable with other European countries ( European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 1998 ) and the US ( Johnston et al ., 1997 , 2000 ).

The widespread concern about the use of illicit drugs is reflected by its high status on health, educational and political agendas in many countries. The UK Government's 10-year national strategy on drug misuse identifies young people as a critical priority group for prevention and treatment interventions ( Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain 1998 ). If strategies to reduce the use of drugs and associated harms amongst the younger population are to be developed, particularly within the health education arena, it is vital that we improve our understanding of the roles that both licit and illicit substances play in the lives of young people. The tendency for educators, practitioners and policy makers to address licit drugs (such as alcohol) separately from illegal drugs may be unhelpful. This is partly because young illicit drug users frequently drink alcohol, and may have little regard for the illicit and licit distinction established by the law. To understand the roles that drug and alcohol use play in contemporary youth culture, it is necessary to examine the most frequently used psychoactive substances as a set.

It is commonplace for young drug users to use several different psychoactive substances. The terms `poly-drug' or `multiple drug' use have been used to describe this behaviour although their exact definitions vary. The term `poly-drug use' is often used to describe the use of two or more drugs during a particular time period (e.g. over the last month or year). This is the definition used within the current paper. However, poly-drug use could also characterize the use of two or more psychoactive substances so that their effects are experienced simultaneously. We have used the term `concurrent drug use' to denote this pattern of potentially more risky and harmful drug use ( Boys et al. 2000a ). Previous studies have reported that users often use drugs concurrently to improve the effects of another drug or to help manage its negative effects [e.g. ( Power et al ., 1996 ; Boys et al. 2000a ; Wibberley and Price, 2000 )].

The most recent British Crime Survey found that 5% of 16–29 year olds had used more than one drug in the last month ( Ramsay and Partridge, 1999 ). Given that 16% of this age band reported drug use in the month prior to interview, this suggests that just under a third of these individuals had used more than one illicit substance during this time period. With alcohol included, the prevalence of poly-drug use is likely to be much higher.

There is a substantial body of literature on the reasons or motivations that people cite for using alcohol, particularly amongst adult populations. For example, research on heavy drinkers suggested that alcohol use is related to multiple functions for use ( Edwards et al ., 1972 ; Sadava, 1975 ). Similarly, research with a focus on young people has sought to identify motives for illicit drug use. There is evidence that for many young people, the decision to use a drug is based on a rational appraisal process, rather than a passive reaction to the context in which a substance is available ( Boys et al. 2000a ; Wibberley and Price, 2000 ). Reported reasons vary from quite broad statements (e.g. to feel better) to more specific functions for use (e.g. to increase self-confidence). However, much of this literature focuses on `drugs' as a generic concept and makes little distinction between different types of illicit substances [e.g. ( Carman, 1979 ; Butler et al ., 1981 ; Newcomb et al ., 1988 ; Cato, 1992 ; McKay et al ., 1992 )]. Given the diverse effects that different drugs have on the user, it might be proposed that reasons for use will closely mirror these differences. Thus stimulant drugs (such as amphetamines, ecstasy or cocaine) will be used for reasons relating to increased nervous system arousal and drugs with sedative effects (such as alcohol or cannabis), with nervous system depression. The present study therefore selected a range of drugs commonly used by young people with stimulant, sedative or hallucinogenic effects to examine this issue further.

The phrase `instrumental drug use' has been used to denote drug use for reasons specifically linked to a drug's effects ( WHO, 1997 ). Examples of the instrumental use of amphetamine-type stimulants include vehicle drivers who report using to improve concentration and relieve tiredness, and people who want to lose weight (particularly young women), using these drugs to curb their appetite. However, the term `instrumental substance use' seems to be used when specific physical effects of a drug are exploited and does not encompass use for more subtle social or psychological purposes which may also be cited by users. In recent reports we have described a `drug use functions' model to help understand poly-substance use phenomenology amongst young people and how decisions are made about patterns of consumption ( Boys et al ., 1999a , b , 2000a ). The term `function' is intended to characterize the primary or multiple reasons for, or purpose served by, the use of a particular substance in terms of the actual gains that the user perceives that they will attain. In the early, 1970s Sadava suggested that functions were a useful means of understanding how personality and environmental variables impacted on patterns of drug use ( Sadava, 1975 ). This work was confined to functions for cannabis and `psychedelic drugs' amongst a sample of college students. To date there has been little research that has examined the different functions associated with the range of psychoactive substances commonly used by young poly-drug users. It is unclear if all drugs with similar physical effects are used for similar purposes, or if other more subtle social or psychological dimensions to use are influential. Work in this area will help to increase understanding of the different roles played by psychoactive substances in the lives of young people, and thus facilitate health, educational and policy responses to this issue.

Previous work has suggested that the perceived functions served by the use of a drug predict the likelihood of future consumption ( Boys et al ., 1999a ). The present study aims to develop this work further by examining the functional profiles of six substances commonly used by young people in the UK.

Patterns of cannabis, amphetamine, ecstasy, LSD, cocaine hydrochloride and alcohol use were examined amongst a sample of young poly-drug users. Tobacco use was not addressed in the present research.

Sampling and recruitment

A snowball-sampling approach was employed for recruitment of participants. Snowball sampling is an effective way of generating a large sample from a hidden population where no formal sampling frame is available ( Van Meter, 1990 ). A team of peer interviewers was trained to recruit and interview participants for the study. We have described this procedure in detail elsewhere and only essential features are described here ( Boys et al. 2000b ). Using current or ex-drug users to gather data from hidden populations of drug using adults has been found to be successful ( Griffiths et al ., 1993 ; Power, 1995 ).

Study participants

Study participants were current poly-substance users with no history of treatment for substance-related disorders. We excluded people with a treatment history on the assumption that young people who have had substance-related problems requiring treatment represent a different group from the general population of young drug users. Inclusion criteria were: aged 16–22 years and having used two or more illegal substances during the past 90 days. During data collection, the age, gender and current occupation of participants were recorded and monitored to ensure that sufficient individuals were recruited to the groups to permit subgroup analyses. If an imbalance was observed in one of these variables, the interviewers were instructed to target participants with specific characteristics (e.g. females under the age of 18) to redress this imbalance.

Study measures

Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire developed specifically for the study. In addition to recording lifetime substance use, questions profiled consumption patterns of six substances in detail. Data were collected between August and November 1998. Interviews were audiotaped with the interviewee's consent. This enabled research staff to verify that answers had been accurately recorded on the questionnaire and that the interview had been conducted in accordance with the research protocol. Research staff also checked for consistency across different question items (e.g. the total number of days of drug use in the past 90 days should equal or exceed the number of days of cannabis use during the same time period). On the few occasions where inconsistencies were identified that could not be corrected from the tape, the interviewer was asked to re-contact the interviewee to verify the data.

Measures of lifetime use, consumption in the past year and past 90 days were based on procedures developed by Marsden et al . ( Marsden et al ., 1998 ). Estimated intensity of consumption (amount used on a typical using day) was recorded verbatim and then translated into standardized units at the data entry stage.

Functions for substance use scale

The questionnaire included a 17-item scale designed to measure perceived functions for substance use. This scale consisted of items developed in previous work ( Boys et al ., 1999a ) in addition to functions derived from qualitative interviews ( Boys et al ., 1999b ), new literature and informal discussions with young drug users. Items were drawn from five domains (Table I ).

Participants were asked if they had ever used a particular drug in order to fulfil each specific function. Those who endorsed the item were then invited to rate how frequently they had used it for this purpose over the past year, using a five-point Likert-type scale (`never' to `always'; coded 0–4). One item differed between the function scales used for the stimulant drugs and for alcohol and cannabis. For the stimulant drugs (amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy) the item `have you ever used [named drug] to help you to lose weight' was used, for cannabis and alcohol this item was replaced with `have you ever used [drug] to help you to sleep?'. (The items written in full as they appeared in the questionnaire are shown in Table III , together with abbreviations used in this paper.)

Statistical procedures

The internal reliability of the substance use functions scales for each of the six substances was judged using Chronbach's α coefficient. Chronbach's α is a statistic that reflects the extent to which each item in a measurement scale is associated with other items. Technically it is the average of correlations between all possible comparisons of the scale items that are divided into two halves. An α coefficient for a scale can range from 0 (no internal reliability) to 1 (complete reliability). Analyses of categorical variables were performed using χ 2 statistic. Differences in scale means were assessed using t -tests.

The sample consisted of 364 young poly-substance users (205 males; 56.3%) with a mean age of 19.3 years; 69.8% described their ethnic group as White-European, 12.6% as Black and 10.1% were Asian. Just over a quarter (27.5%) were unemployed at the time of interview; a third were in education, 28.8% were in full-time work and the remainder had part-time employment. Estimates of monthly disposable income (any money that was spare after paying for rent, bills and food) ranged from 0 to over £1000 (median = £250).

Substance use history

The drug with the highest lifetime prevalence was cannabis (96.2%). This was followed by amphetamine sulphate (51.6%), cocaine hydrochloride (50.5%) (referred to as cocaine hereafter) and ecstasy (48.6%). Twenty-five percent of the sample had used LSD and this was more common amongst male participants (χ 2 [1] = 9.68, P < 0.01). Other drugs used included crack cocaine (25.5%), heroin (12.6%), tranquillizers (21.7%) and hallucinogenic mushrooms (8.0%). On average, participants had used a total of 5.2 different psychoactive substances in their lives (out of a possible 14) (median = 4.0, mode = 3.0, range 2–14). There was no gender difference in the number of different drugs ever used.

Table II profiles use of the six target drugs over the past year, and the frequency and intensity of use in the 90 days prior to interview.

There were no gender differences in drug use over the past year or in the past 90 days with the exception of amphetamines. For this substance, females who had ever used this drug were more likely to have done so during the past 90 days than males (χ 2 [1] = 4.14, P < 0.05). The mean number of target drugs used over the past 90 days was 3.2 (median = 3.0, mode = 3.0, range 2–6). No gender differences were observed. Few differences were also observed in the frequency and intensity of use. Males reported drinking alcohol more frequently during the three months prior to interview ( t [307] = 2.48, P < 0.05) and using cannabis more intensively on a `typical using day' ( t [337] = 3.56, P < 0.001).

Perceived functions for substance use

There were few differences between the functions endorsed for use of each drug `ever' and those endorsed for use during `the year prior to interview'. This section therefore concentrates on data for the year prior to interview. We considered that in order to use a drug for a specific function, the user must have first hand knowledge of the drug's effects before making this decision. Consequently, functions reported by individuals who had only used a particular substance on one occasion in their lives (i.e. with no prior experience of the drug at the time they made the decision to take it) were excluded from the analyses. Table III summarizes the proportion of the sample who endorsed each of the functions for drugs used in the past year. Roman numerals have been used to indicate the functions with the top five average scores. Table III also shows means for the total number of different items endorsed by individual users and the internal reliability of the function scales for each substance using Chronbach's α coefficients. There were no significant gender differences in the total number of functions endorsed for any of the six substances.

The following sections summarize the top five most popular functions drug-by-drug together with any age or gender differences observed in the items endorsed.

Cannabis use ( n = 345)

Overall the most popular functions for cannabis use were to `RELAX' (endorsed by 96.8% of people who had used the drug in the last year), to become `INTOXICATED' (90.7%) and to `ENHANCE ACTIVITY' (72.8%). Cannabis was also commonly used to `DECREASE BOREDOM' (70.1%) and to `SLEEP' (69.6%) [this item was closely followed by using to help `FEEL BETTER' (69.0%)]. Nine of the 17 function items were endorsed by over half of those who had used cannabis on more than one occasion in the past year. There were no significant gender differences observed, with the exception of using to `KEEP GOING', where male participants were significantly more likely to say that they had used cannabis to fulfil this function in the past year (χ 2 [1] = 6.10, P < 0.05).

There were statistically significant age differences on four of the function variables: cannabis users who reported using this drug in the past year to help feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' or to help `SLEEP' were significantly older than those who had not used cannabis for these purposes (19.6 versus 19.0; t [343] = 3.32, P < 0.001; 19.4 versus 19.0; t [343] = 2.01, P < 0.05). In contrast, those who had used cannabis to `INCREASE CONFIDENCE' and to `STOP WORRYING' tended to be younger than those who did not (19.0 versus 19.4; t [343] = –2.26, P < 0.05; 19.1 versus 19.5; t [343] = –1.99, P < 0.05).

Amphetamines ( n = 160)

Common functions for amphetamine use were to `KEEP GOING' (95.6%), to `STAY AWAKE' (91.3%) or to `ENHANCE ACTIVITY' (66.2%). Using to help feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' (60.6%) and to `ENJOY COMPANY' (58.1%) were also frequently mentioned. Seven of the 17 function items were endorsed by over half of participants who had used amphetamines in the past year. As with cannabis, gender differences were uncommon: females were more likely to use amphetamines to help `LOSE WEIGHT' than male participants (χ 2 [1] = 21.67, P < 0.001).

Significant age differences were found on four function variables. Individuals who reported using amphetamines in the past year to feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' were significantly older than those who did not (19.9 versus 19.0; t [158] = 2.87, P < 0.01). In contrast, participants who used amphetamines to `STOP WORRYING' (18.8 versus 19.8; t [158] = –2.77, P < 0.01), to `DECREASE BOREDOM' (19.2 versus 19.9; t [158] = –2.39, P < 0.05) or to `ENHANCE ACTIVITY' (19.3 versus 20.1; t [158] = –2.88, P < 0.01) were younger than those who had not.

Ecstasy ( n = 157)

The most popular five functions for using ecstasy were similar to those for amphetamines. The drug was used to `KEEP GOING' (91.1%), to `ENHANCE ACTIVITY' (79.6%), to feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' (77.7%), to `STAY AWAKE' (72.0%) and to get `INTOXICATED' (68.2%). Seven of the 17 function items were endorsed by over half of those who had used ecstasy in the past year. Female users were more likely to use ecstasy to help `LOSE WEIGHT' than male participants (Fishers exact test, P < 0.001).

As with the other drugs discussed above, participants who reported using ecstasy to feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' were significantly older than those who did not (19.8 versus 18.9; t [155] = 2.61, P < 0.01). In contrast, those who had used ecstasy to `FEEL BETTER' (19.3 versus 20.0; t [155] = –2.29, P < 0.05), to `INCREASE CONFIDENCE' (19.2 versus 19.9; t [155] = –2.22, P < 0.05) and to `STOP WORRYING' (19.0 versus 19.9; t [155] = –2.96, P < 0.01) tended to be younger.

LSD ( n = 58)

Of the six target substances examined in this study, LSD was associated with the least diverse range of functions for use. All but two of the function statements were endorsed by at least some users, but only five were reported by more than 50%. The most common purpose for consuming LSD was to get `INTOXICATED' (77.6%). Other popular functions included to feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' and to `ENHANCE ACTIVITY' (both endorsed by 72.4%), and to `KEEP GOING' and to `ENJOY COMPANY' (both endorsed by 58.6%). Unlike the other substances examined, no gender or age differences were observed.

Cocaine ( n = 168)

In common with ecstasy and amphetamines, the most widely endorsed functions for cocaine use were to help `KEEP GOING' (84.5%) and to help `STAY AWAKE' (69.0%). Consuming cocaine to `INCREASE CONFIDENCE' and to get `INTOXICATED' (both endorsed by 66.1%) were also popular. However, unlike the other stimulant drugs, 61.9% of the cocaine users reported using to `FEEL BETTER'. Ten of the 17 function items were endorsed by over half of those who had used cocaine in the past year.

Gender differences were more common amongst functions for cocaine use than the other substances surveyed. More males reported using cocaine to `IMPROVE EFFECTS' of other drugs (χ 2 [1] = 4.00, P < 0.05); more females used the drug to help `STAY AWAKE' (χ 2 [1] = 12.21, P < 0.001), to `LOSE INHIBITIONS' (χ 2 [1] = 9.01, P < 0.01), to `STOP WORRYING' (χ 2 [1] = 8.11, P < 0.01) or to `ENJOY COMPANY' of friends (χ 2 [1] = 4.34, P < 0.05). All participants who endorsed using cocaine to help `LOSE WEIGHT' were female.

Those who had used cocaine to `FEEL BETTER' (18.9 versus 19.8; t [166] = –3.06, P < 0.01), to `STOP WORRYING' (18.6 versus 19.7; t [166] = –3.86, P < 0.001) or to `DECREASE BOREDOM' (18.9 versus 19.6; t [166] = –2.52, P < 0.05) were significantly younger than those who did not endorse these functions. Similar to the other drugs, participants who had used cocaine to feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' in the past year tended to be older than those who had not (19.6 versus 18.7; t [166] = 3.16, P < 0.01).

Alcohol ( n = 312)

The functions for alcohol use were the most diverse of the six substances examined. Like LSD, the most commonly endorsed purpose for drinking was to get `INTOXICATED' (89.1%). Many used alcohol to `RELAX' (82.7%), to `ENJOY COMPANY' (74.0%), to `INCREASE CONFIDENCE' (70.2%) and to `FEEL BETTER' (69.9%). Overall, 11 of the 17 function items were endorsed by over 50% of those who had drunk alcohol in the past year. Male participants were more likely to report using alcohol in combination with other drugs either to `IMPROVE EFFECTS' of other drugs (χ 2 [1] = 4.56, P < 0.05) or to ease the `AFTER EFFECTS' of other substances (χ 2 [1] = 7.07, P < 0.01). More females than males reported that they used alcohol to `DECREASE BOREDOM' (χ 2 [1] = 4.42, P < 0.05).

T -tests revealed significant age differences on four of the function variables: those who drank to feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' were significantly older (19.7 versus 19.0; t [310] = 3.67, P < 0.001) as were individuals who drank to help them to `LOSE INHIBITIONS' (19.6 versus 19.0; t [310] = 2.36, P < 0.05). In contrast, participants who reported using alcohol just to get `INTOXICATED' (19.2 versus 20.3; t [310] = –3.31, P < 0.001) or to `DECREASE BOREDOM' (19.2 versus 19.6; t [310] = –2.25, P < 0.05) were significantly younger than those who did not.

Combined functional drug use

The substances used by the greatest proportion of participants to `IMPROVE EFFECTS' from other drugs were cannabis (44.3%), alcohol (41.0%) and amphetamines (37.5%). It was also common to use cannabis (64.6%) and to a lesser extent alcohol (35.9%) in combination with other drugs in order to help manage `AFTER EFFECTS'. Amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD and cocaine were also used for these purposes, although to a lesser extent. Participants who endorsed the combination drug use items were asked to list the three main drugs with which they had combined the target substance for these purposes. Table IV summarizes these responses.

Overall functions for drug use

In order to examine which functions were most popular overall, a dichotomous variable was created for each different item to indicate if one or more of the six target substances had been used to fulfil this purpose during the year prior to interview. For example, if an individual reported that they had used cannabis to relax, but their use of ecstasy, amphetamines and alcohol had not fulfilled this function, then the variable for `RELAX' was scored `1'. Similarly if they had used all four of these substances to help them to relax in the past year, the variable would again be scored as `1'. A score of `0' indicates that none of the target substances had been used to fulfil a particular function. Table V summarizes the data from these new variables.

Over three-quarters of the sample had used at least one target substance in the past year for 11 out of the 18 functions listed. The five most common functions for substance use overall were to `RELAX' (96.7%); `INTOXICATED' (96.4%); `KEEP GOING' (95.9%); `ENHANCE ACTIVITY' (88.5%) and `FEEL BETTER' (86.8%). Despite the fact that `SLEEP' was only relevant to two substances (alcohol and cannabis), it was still endorsed by over 70% of the total sample. Using to `LOSE WEIGHT' was only relevant to the stimulant drugs (amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine), yet was endorsed by 17.3% of the total sample (almost a third of all female participants). Overall, this was the least popular function for recent substance use, followed by `WORK' (32.1%). All other items were endorsed by over 60% of all participants.

Gender differences were identified in six items. Females were significantly more likely to have endorsed the following: using to `INCREASE CONFIDENCE' (χ 2 [1] = 4.41, P < 0.05); `STAY AWAKE' (χ 2 [1] = 5.36, P < 0.05), `LOSE INHIBITIONS' (χ 2 [1] = 4.48, P < 0.05), `ENHANCE SEX' (χ 2 [1] = 5.17, P < 0.05) and `LOSE WEIGHT' (χ 2 [1] = 29.6, P < 0.001). In contrast, males were more likely to use a substance to `IMPROVE EFFECTS' of another drug (χ 2 [1] = 11.18, P < 0.001).

Statistically significant age differences were identified in three of the items. Those who had used at least one of the six target substances in the last year to feel `ELATED/EUPHORIC' (19.5 versus 18.6; t [362] = 4.07, P < 0.001) or to `SLEEP' (19.4 versus 18.9; t [362] = 2.19, P < 0.05) were significantly older than those who had not used for this function. In contrast, participants who had used in order to `STOP WORRYING' tended to be younger (19.1 versus 19.7; t [362] = –2.88, P < 0.01).

This paper has examined psychoactive substance use amongst a sample of young people and focused on the perceived functions for use using a 17-item scale. In terms of the characteristics of the sample, the reported lifetime and recent substance use was directly comparable with other samples of poly-drug users recruited in the UK [e.g. ( Release, 1997 )].

Previous studies which have asked users to give reasons for their `drug use' overall instead of breaking it down by drug type [e.g. ( Carman, 1979 ; Butler et al ., 1981 ; Newcomb et al ., 1988 ; Cato, 1992 ; McKay et al ., 1992 )] may have overlooked the dynamic nature of drug-related decision making. A key finding from the study is that that with the exception of two of the functions for use scale items (using to help sleep or lose weight), all of the six drugs had been used to fulfil all of the functions measured, despite differences in their pharmacological effects. The total number of functions endorsed by individuals for use of a particular drug varied from 0 to 15 for LSD, and up to 17 for cannabis, alcohol and cocaine. The average number ranged from 5.9 (for LSD) to 9.0 (for cannabis). This indicates that substance use served multiple purposes for this sample, but that the functional profiles differed between the six target drugs.

We have previously reported ( Boys et al. 2000b ) that high scores on a cocaine functions scale are strongly predictive of high scores on a cocaine-related problems scale. The current findings support the use of similar function scales for cannabis, amphetamines, LSD and ecstasy. It remains to be seen whether similar associations with problem scores exist. Future developmental work in this area should ensure that respondents are given the opportunity to cite additional functions to those included here so that the scales can be further extended and refined.

Recent campaigns that have targeted young people have tended to assume that hallucinogen and stimulant use is primarily associated with dance events, and so motives for use will relate to this context. Our results support assumptions that these drugs are used to enhance social interactions, but other functions are also evident. For example, about a third of female interviewees had used a stimulant drug to help them to lose weight. Future education and prevention efforts should take this diversity into account when planning interventions for different target groups.

The finding that the same functions are fulfilled by use of different drugs suggests that at least some could be interchangeable. Evidence for substituting alternative drugs to fulfil a function when a preferred drug is unavailable has been found in other studies [e.g. ( Boys et al. 2000a )]. Prevention efforts should perhaps focus on the general motivations behind use rather than trying to discourage use of specific drug types in isolation. For example, it is possible that the focus over the last decade on ecstasy prevention may have contributed inadvertently to the rise in cocaine use amongst young people in the UK ( Boys et al ., 1999c ). It is important that health educators do not overlook this possibility when developing education and prevention initiatives. Considering functions that substance use can fulfil for young people could help us to understand which drugs are likely to be interchangeable. If prevention programmes were designed to target a range of substances that commonly fulfil similar functions, then perhaps this could address the likelihood that some young people will substitute other drugs if deterred from their preferred substance.

There has been considerable concern about the perceived increase in the number of young people who are using cocaine in the UK ( Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain 1998 ; Ramsay and Partridge, 1999 ; Boys et al. 2000b ). It has been suggested that, for a number of reasons, cocaine may be replacing ecstasy and amphetamines as the stimulant of choice for some young people ( Boys et al ., 1999c ). The results from this study suggest that motives for cocaine use are indeed similar to those for ecstasy and amphetamine use, e.g. using to `keep going' on a night out with friends, to `enhance an activity', `to help to feel elated or euphoric' or to help `stay awake'. However, in addition to these functions which were shared by all three stimulants, over 60% of cocaine users reported that they had used this drug to `help to feel more confident' in a social situation and to `feel better when down or depressed'. Another finding that sets cocaine aside from ecstasy and amphetamines was the relatively common existence of gender differences in the function items endorsed. Female cocaine users were more likely to use to help `stay awake', `lose inhibitions', `stop worrying', `enjoy company of friends' or to help `lose weight'. This could indicate that women are more inclined to admit to certain functions than their male counterparts. However, the fact that similar gender differences were not observed in the same items for the other five substances, suggests this interpretation is unlikely. Similarly, the lack of gender differences in patterns of cocaine use (both frequency and intensity) suggests that these differences are not due to heavier cocaine use amongst females. If these findings are subsequently confirmed, this could point towards an inclination for young women to use cocaine as a social support, particularly to help feel less inhibited in social situations. If so, young female cocaine users may be more vulnerable to longer-term cocaine-related problems.

Many respondents reported using alcohol or cannabis to help manage effects experienced from another drug. This has implications for the choice of health messages communicated to young people regarding the use of two or more different substances concurrently. Much of the literature aimed at young people warns them to avoid mixing drugs because the interactive effects may be dangerous [e.g. ( HIT, 1996 )]. This `Just say No' type of approach does not take into consideration the motives behind mixing drugs. In most areas, drug education and prevention work has moved on from this form of communication. A more sophisticated approach is required, which considers the functions that concurrent drug use is likely to have for young people and tries to amend messages to make them more relevant and acceptable to this population. Further research is needed to explore the motivations for mixing different combinations of drugs together.

Over three-quarters of the sample reported using at least one of the six target substances to fulfil 11 out of the 18 functions. These findings provide strong evidence that young people use psychoactive drugs for a range of distinct purposes, not purely dependent on the drug's specific effects. Overall, the top five functions were to `help relax', `get intoxicated', `keep going', `enhance activity' and `feel better'. Each of these was endorsed by over 85% of the sample. Whilst all six substances were associated to a greater or lesser degree with each of these items, there were certain drugs that were more commonly associated with each. For example, cannabis and alcohol were popular choices for relaxation or to get intoxicated. In contrast, over 90% of the amphetamine and ecstasy users reported using these drugs within the last year to `keep going'. Using to enhance an activity was a common function amongst users of all six substances, endorsed by over 70% of ecstasy, cannabis and LSD users. Finally, it was mainly alcohol and cannabis (and to a lesser extent cocaine) that were used to `feel better'.

Several gender differences were observed in the combined functions for recent substance use. These findings indicate that young females use other drugs as well as cocaine as social supports. Using for specific physical effects (weight loss, sex or wakefulness) was also more common amongst young women. In contrast, male users were significantly more likely to report using at least one of the target substances to try to improve the effects of another substance. This indicates a greater tendency for young males in this sample to mix drugs than their female counterparts. Age differences were also observed on several function items: participants who had used a drug to `feel elated or euphoric' or to `help sleep' tended to be older and those who used to `stop worrying about a problem' were younger. If future studies confirm these differences, education programmes and interventions might benefit from tailoring their strategies for specific age groups and genders. For example, a focus on stress management strategies and coping skills with a younger target audience might be appropriate.

Some limitations of the study need to be acknowledged. The sample for this study was recruited using a snowball-sampling methodology. Although it does not yield a random sample of research participants, this method has been successfully used to access hidden samples of drug users [e.g. ( Biernacki, 1986 ; Lenton et al ., 1997 )]. Amongst the distinct advantages of this approach are that it allows theories and models to be tested quantitatively on sizeable numbers of subjects who have engaged in a relatively rare behaviour.

Further research is now required to determine whether our observations may be generalized to other populations (such as dependent drug users) and drug types (such as heroin, tranquillizers or tobacco) or if additional function items need to be developed. Future studies should also examine if functions can be categorized into primary and subsidiary reasons and how these relate to changes in patterns of use and drug dependence. Recognition of the functions fulfilled by substance use could help inform education and prevention strategies and make them more relevant and acceptable to the target audiences.

Structure of functions scales

Profile of substance use over the past year and past 90 days ( n = 364)

Proportion (%) of those who have used [substance] more than once, who endorsed each functional statement for their use in the past year

Combined functional substance use reported by the sample over the past year

Percentage of participants who reported having used at least one of the target substances to fulfil each of the different functions over the past year ( n = 364)

We gratefully acknowledge research support from the Health Education Authority (HEA). The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the HEA. We would also like to thank the anonymous referees for helpful comments and suggestions on an earlier draft of this paper.

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Essays on Drug Addiction | Causes & Impacts of Drug Addiction in Youth

Drug addiction is the curse. It eats out the very fabric of our society. The following essay discusses the drug addiction with its underlying causes, its impacts and possible solutions for our youth. The essay is in simple language with easy to understand way. It would surely help primary, high school and college level students.

List of Topics

Drug addiction Essay; Major Causes, Impacts & Possible Solution

Drugs are very dangerous for health, addiction of drugs destroys the health.

Habitual drug users spend lot of money on buying drugs and they spend their accumulated wealth on drugs and when they become bankrupt they adopt illegal means of earning money.

The drugs which cause addiction are cocaine, meth, Marijuana, crack and heroin. All types of narcotics are fatal.

Causes of drug Addiction

The consumption of drugs often is observed when an individual specially youngster fail to cope up with personal problems.

Sometimes family issues are give birth to addiction of drugs. The youth throughout the world is vulnerable to drugs, mostly youngsters chose drugs to satiate their desires. Lack of self confidence is the root cause of addiction of drugs.

Due to pressure and excessive stress man often chose drugs and tries to lessen his or her stress by sing drugs. The high level stress compels an individual to use drugs. The social and personal pressure often result in smoking and drinking. It means when an individual start feeling isolated or is ignored in society he or she develop habit of using drugs.

The lack of parental involvement in child’s activities is also a cause of drug addiction in youngsters. Those who are emotionally weak they become drug addict. The availability and exposure of drugs is also a cause of addiction. An individual living in an area where drugs are available and people consume drugs there that individual will also develop habit of consuming drugs.

Effects of drug Addiction on Youth

The addiction of drugs leave adverse effects on the mind and body of an addict. It is a type of brain disease, regular consumption of drugs disrupts the proper functioning of brain.

The uncontrollable desire to consume drugs become worse day by day ultimately an addict find it impossible to control the intake of drugs.

A regular user of drug loses the efficiency of working. One who is drug addict can’t fulfill his or her responsibilities in good manner. The personal health of an individual is entirely lost when he or she become a drug addict. One who consumes more drugs often experiences anxiety, depression, fatigue, headache, sweating, insomnia etc.

The repeated and regular use of drugs leave psychological effects on an individual too. Many physical and mental disorders appear in an individual who uses drugs on regular basis.

Many respiratory diseases, heart attack, lung cancer, kidney failure, liver problems and brain damage are often caused of intake of drugs in excess. The immune system of man is badly affected because of drugs.

Solutions; How to Control Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is very hard to quit, those who are addicted they must be treated tenderly to quit bad habit. One who consumes more drugs he or she must be informed of ill effects of drugs. It is necessary to keep drugs off so that one who is not indulged in it remain far from it.

Though addiction of drugs is very difficult to prevent but there are some steps that can be taken to help stop consumption of drugs.

All individuals who are suffering from mental disorders or are victim of depression and stress must be taken to psychiatrist so that their mental illness is cured and they become able to quit drugs.

People must learn to deal with pressure and stress, the best way to get rid of stress is to handle it properly not to take drugs. There is ignorance among people, they are not known of the risk factors of addiction of drugs, they don’t know the abuse of drugs.

Drug addiction is one the gravest issues that our youths are facing these days. It brings a lot of problems in our lives. Therefore, every possible effort must be made in order to contain this issue forever.

Paragraph On Drug Addiction | Short & Long Paragraphs On Drug Addiction, Causes & Impacts

Any substance consumed by a person which is harmful to his health is called a drug. When one consume these dangerous substances regularly is called an addiction.

Users are mostly addicted in alcohol, cocaine, heroin, nicotine, opioid, painkillers etc. All these drugs are very harmful for physical and mental health. Drugs affect the mental cognition of a user, an addict can’t take good decisions nor he can retain information.

Signs of a drug Addict

The most vivid signs of a drug addict are red eyes, increased heart rate, anxiety, depression, paranoia and inactivity. Their memory power reduces, they feel difficulty in remembering something.

A drug addict can’t work properly without injecting it, he lack to properly coordinate with others. Due to drug addiction, the user become victim of erratic sleep patterns.

Apart from it a drug addict become happy and sad quickly. Sometimes they lose their consciousness, they are not aware of their surroundings and they forget their very existence.

Why Addiction of Drugs is Caused?

Drug addiction is mainly caused to feel happier, when an individual faces loss in life or fails to get something. He feel dejected, sad and unhappy.

In order to overcome this condition the individual start using drugs to feel happy because drugs contain a chemical called dopamine which induces happiness in the consumer and he feel happy. Slowly and gradually he become addicted and doesn’t feel happy until and unless he doesn’t consume the drug.

Effects of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is very harmful, it not only destroy health but also leave many negatively influences on the psyche of the user.

Mostly drug addicts engage in reckless activities like gambling, stealing, adultery etc. Because of these activities they lose their respect and lose many relationships. Due to addiction of drugs many problems in personal and public relationships are created.

Their personality is badly affected by the excessive consumption of drugs, they stop caring of their hygiene. In both conditions while injecting any drug or without injecting it, a drug addict can’t communicate properly nor can Converse with anyone soundly.

It is observed that as the addiction increases the user lose interest in doing all activities which he loved to do. The addiction of drugs is fatal, it is a life-threatening act because it can kill a person.

All fatal and deadly diseases like kidney failure, lung diseases, heart diseases, brain damage, respiratory problems etc are caused by addiction of drugs.

A drug consumer feel difficulty in breathing, he feel lazy and inactive all the time and can’t perform any work in good way. Memory loss and speech problems affect the user’s personality.

Above all, the users of drugs become moody, hyperactive and victim of hallucinations.

Drug addiction is fatal, we must take steps to control addiction of drugs. Behavioral counseling is the most effective way to treat this disease, it is very important to have counseling with the user and motivate him to quit it before it takes his or her life.

Only the family members and friends can do this, if you find your loved ones addicted make a behavioral counseling with them and motivate them to quit it. Family members and friends can encourage them and can help them to get rid of bad addiction.

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Essay on Drug Abuse

Here we have shared the Essay on Drug Abuse in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Drug Abuse in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Drug Abuse in 150 words

Essay on drug abuse in 250-300 words, essay on drug abuse in 500-1000 words.

Drug abuse is a global issue that poses serious risks to individuals and society. It involves the harmful and excessive use of drugs, leading to physical and mental health problems. Drug abuse can result in addiction, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and social and economic difficulties. Prevention efforts should focus on education, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is crucial for recovery. Strengthening law enforcement measures against drug trafficking is necessary to address the supply side of the problem. Creating supportive environments and opportunities for positive engagement can help prevent drug abuse. By taking collective action, we can combat drug abuse and build healthier communities.

Drug abuse is a growing global concern that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Drug abuse has severe consequences for individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, damage vital organs, and increase the risk of overdose. Mentally, it can cause cognitive impairment, and psychological disorders, and deteriorate overall well-being. Additionally, drug abuse often leads to social and economic problems, such as strained relationships, loss of employment, and criminal activities.

Preventing drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs play a crucial role in informing individuals about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is vital to help individuals recover from substance abuse. Strengthening law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and promoting international cooperation is also essential to address the supply side of the issue.

Community support and a nurturing environment are critical in preventing drug abuse. Creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to engage in positive activities and providing social support systems can serve as protective factors against drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant societal problem with detrimental effects on individuals and communities. It requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness, and providing support to those affected, we can combat drug abuse and create a healthier and safer society for all.

Title: Drug Abuse – A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action

Introduction :

Drug abuse is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the social and economic impact, prevention and treatment strategies, and the importance of raising awareness and fostering supportive communities in addressing this crisis.

Causes and Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse

Several factors contribute to drug abuse. Genetic predisposition, peer pressure, stress, trauma, and environmental influences play a role in initiating substance use. The availability and accessibility of drugs, as well as societal norms and cultural acceptance, also influence drug abuse patterns. Additionally, underlying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has devastating consequences on individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Substance abuse affects vital organs, impairs cognitive function, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, are often associated with drug abuse. Substance abuse also takes a toll on relationships, leading to strained family dynamics, social isolation, and financial instability. The social and economic costs of drug abuse include increased healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and the burden on criminal justice systems.

Prevention and Education

Preventing drug abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs are essential in schools, communities, and the media to inform individuals about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms, stress management skills, and decision-making abilities can empower individuals to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. Early intervention programs that identify at-risk individuals and provide support and resources are crucial in preventing substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality healthcare and evidence-based addiction treatment is vital in addressing drug abuse. Treatment options include detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments. Rehabilitation centers, support groups, and outpatient programs provide a continuum of care for individuals seeking recovery. Holistic approaches, such as addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and promoting healthy lifestyles, contribute to successful long-term recovery. Support from family, friends, and communities plays a significant role in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Law Enforcement and Drug Policies

Effective law enforcement efforts are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking and dismantle illicit drug networks. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial in combating the global drug trade. Additionally, drug policies should focus on a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies. Shifting the emphasis from punitive measures toward prevention and rehabilitation can lead to more effective outcomes.

Creating Supportive Communities:

Fostering supportive communities is vital in addressing drug abuse. Communities should provide resources, social support networks, and opportunities for positive engagement. This includes promoting healthy recreational activities, providing vocational training, and creating safe spaces for individuals in recovery. Reducing the stigma associated with drug abuse and encouraging empathy and understanding are crucial to building a compassionate and supportive environment.

Conclusion :

Drug abuse remains a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences. By addressing the causes, raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, providing quality treatment and support services, and fostering supportive communities, we can combat drug abuse and alleviate its impact. It requires collaboration and a collective effort from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to build a society that is resilient against the scourge of drug abuse. Through education, prevention, treatment, and compassion, we can pave the way toward a healthier and drug-free future.

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More than 1 in 4 deaths among young people in Canada were opioid-related in 2021, study finds

Nationally, annual number of opioid overdose deaths surged from 3,007 to 6,222 over three years.

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Opioid-related deaths doubled in Canada between 2019 and the end of 2021, with Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta experiencing a dramatic jump, mostly among men in their 20s and 30s, says a new study that calls for targeted harm-reduction policies.

Researchers from the University of Toronto analyzed accidental opioid-related deaths between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2021 in those provinces as well as British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.

Manitoba saw the sharpest rise in overdose deaths for those aged 30 to 39 — reaching 500 deaths per million population, more than five times the 89 deaths per million population recorded at the beginning of the study period.

In Saskatchewan, the death toll for that age group nearly tripled to 424 per million, up from 146 per million, while Alberta's rate spiked more than 2.5 times to 729 fatalities per million, up from 272 per million. Ontario's death rate reached 384, up from 210 per million.

B.C., which has been the epicentre of the overdose crisis, recorded 229 deaths per million for that age group in 2019, climbing to 394 in 2020. All data for 2021 from that province's coroners service was not yet available when researchers completed their work based on information collected by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Push to better understand the long-term harms of opioid use

Nationally, the annual number of opioid overdose deaths surged from 3,007 to 6,222 over the three-year study period, which researchers note coincided with pandemic public health measures that reduced access to harm reduction programs and imposed border restrictions that may have increased the toxicity of the drug supply.

"In addition, for many, the pandemic exacerbated feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and loneliness, contributing to increased substance use globally," they said.

The study was published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal .

Senior author Tara Gomes said one in four deaths involved people in their 20s and 30s. More than 70 per cent of the overall deaths were among men.

A spokesperson with the coroners service in B.C. said 78 per cent of people that fatally overdosed in that province between 2019 and the end of 2021 were men.

Devastating impacts

The sharp surge in fatal overdoses — especially among young adults on the Prairies — suggests provinces must act quickly, said Gomes, an epidemiologist who called for more harm-reduction services including supervised consumption sites.

"Being slow and not being as nimble as we would like to be in our responses can have really devastating impacts," said Gomes, also lead principal investigator of the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network.

Response to opioid crisis must be multipronged, says drug policy expert

Bernadette Smith, Manitoba's minister of housing, addiction, homelessness and mental health, said the province plans to open its first supervised consumption site in Winnipeg next year and will also offer drug-testing machines so people can check if their illicit substances are toxic.

"We came out of a previous government that didn't take a harm-reduction approach, unfortunately," said the New Democrat, whose party defeated the Progressive Conservatives last fall.

'They wouldn't have enough beds'

"We're working with front-line organizations because they have not been listened to or worked with for the last seven years in our province, which has been a real problem," Smith said.

Manitoba plans to train family doctors to treat addiction with medications including Suboxone and methadone, said Smith, noting the physicians typically refer patients to detox for care.

"We're creating a model so that folks aren't having to go to a bunch of different places to get different services," said Smith.

She declined to say whether Manitobans will have access to a prescribed safer supply of drugs.

Tanya Hornbuckle of Edmonton said her son Joel Wolstenholme was 30 when he died in 2022. He became addicted to illicit substances at about age 14, starting with cannabis before shifting to methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs that were increasingly laced with fentanyl.

He also battled a mental illness, but getting help for both that issue and addiction in a single service was challenging, Hornbuckle said.

Wolstenholme tried multiple times to detox, but there were never enough beds at a clinic where people had to line up at 8 a.m., she said.

"It would happen over and over and then he would call me. I went and stood in line or I drove him there and waited with him in the lineup. They wouldn't have enough beds."

Her son's anxieties and addiction worsened when pandemic restrictions prevented her from entering an emergency room with him because he did not trust staff, Hornbuckle said.

On Feb. 6, 2022, Hornbuckle went to her son's home so they could cook together. She found him dead.

• 8 years and 14,000 deaths later, B.C.'s drug emergency rages on
• Why staff at an Ontario cottage country restaurant took naloxone training

The Alberta government's strategy of focusing more on recovery and abstinence-based treatment than harm reduction, mental health and housing is the wrong approach, said Hornbuckle, noting that for a time her son slept in parks and abandoned houses after losing his vehicle and apartment to addiction.

Rebecca Haines-Saah, an associate professor of community health services at the University of Calgary, called the deaths of young people from overdose a tragedy, and said many more suffer from brain injury due to toxic substances.

Halifax doctor calls for safer opioid access

"Obviously, we have the incorrect response. We do not have the approach and services available to keep people alive," said Haines-Saah, who also called for more harm-reduction services.

"We don't have a full-scale public health response that is required. We don't have any plans to fund anything that relates to what we would call harm reduction."

Much of the current approach to addiction excludes a large number of recreational drug users, said Gomes. She said between a third and half of the deaths in Ontario involved people without an opioid use disorder diagnosis.

"So, focusing on [residential treatment] alone is something that really concerns me because we really need to make sure that we have different options for different people."

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.  

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Largest Compilation of Structured Essays and Exams

Essay on Drugs | Causes & Effects | Impact on Youth

December 15, 2017 by Study Mentor Leave a Comment

A drug is any substance which when introduced to the body, causes a physiological change in it. There are various forms of drugs and their uses. Also, the drug can be introduced into the body by various methods; these methods are called as ‘routes’ of drug administration.

Table of Contents

Types of drugs

• Stimulant : As the name tells, they help ‘stimulating’ the brain. They create a sense of high-energy after being taken. Some examples are cocaine, caffeine, nicotine. If they are taken in a high dose, they can cause various heart-related problems. They increase the body temperature as well as the heartbeat. At worse cases, they can make you anxious and psychotic.
• Hallucinogens : They change the original perspective of life. People who take hallucinogens experience something known as ‘trips’. They make lose touch with reality and make a feeling of well-being. Some examples are marijuana, cannabinoids, LSD etc.
• Depressants : Such drugs are generally taken by depressed people to slow down any information reaching your brain. Depressants help you to feel calm and relaxed. Some examples are alcohol, sedative, cannabinoids, morphine etc. However, overdose may cause vomiting, headaches and nausea.
• Analgesic : The drugs which are used to relieve pain are known as analgesic. Such drugs should not be overdosed as they can cause damage to the liver. Some examples are aspirin, Heroin.
• Anti-pyretic : Such drugs help in lowering the body temperature caused due to fever. One popular example is paracetamol.

Example is Morphine which is given to patients to reduce pain and induce sleep after a surgery. But on the other hand, morphine is used by many teenagers to get ‘high’. Such drug abuse causes a great damage to their bodies and makes them far from their families and the society.

Drugs used in medicinal purposes, their routes of administration, their sources and drug receptors are discussed later.

Routes of drug administration

Drug can be introduced to the body in various forms. The form in which the drug is introduced to the body decides its further action on the body.

The various Routes of drug administration are

Oral route: The most common route of drug administration is the oral route. The advantages of oral route are that it is cheap, it can be self -administered, and it is painless and is the safest method of drug administration.

The disadvantages of this route are that it cannot be used on unconscious patients, not suitable for irritant, not absorb able drugs, drugs that are destroyed by digestive juices and patients with severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Topical route : Drug that is administered topically, that is, externally on the skin or mucous membrane. The topical route drugs can be in the form of creams, lotions, gels, dusting powders etc.

Anal or rectal route: There are two ways by which drug can be administered into the rectum. Through ‘enema’ in which drug is administered into the rectum in liquid form and as ‘suppository’ in which drug is administered into the rectum in solid form.

Sublingual route : The drug when kept under the tongue and gets absorbed by the mucous membrane present in the buccal cavity. Thus, the drug enters the bloodstream and shows its action.

The advantages are that this mode of drug administration can be self-administered and it is very quick in action. But such method of drug administration cannot be used for drugs with bad taste and smell.

Parenteral routes : Those routes which are directly injected to reach the bloodstream are called as parenteral routes. The drugs are generally administered with a hollow needle connected to a syringe which forces the drug to enter the systemic circulation. Some of the types are:

Intra- dermal route: The drug is injected into the layers of the skin. It is very painful and is used for drug sensitivity tests. Example is BCG vaccine (Bacillus Calmette Guerin).

Intra- venous route: Drug is directly injected into the bloodstream via a vein. There are various advantages of this route such as the bio availability of the drug is 100%, there is a quick action of the drug, large volume of the drug can be administered into the body etc.

There are some disadvantages too such as it cannot is self- administered, it can cause allergy to sensitive patients, the drug should be pushed very slowly using the syringe, the syringe as well as the needle should be totally sterile.

Sub- cutaneous route: The drug is injected into the sub cutaneous layer of the body parts such as arm, thigh or abdomen. It can be self- administered. The absorption of the drug is very slow and hence it is not used for emergency purposes.

Intra- muscular route: Drug is injected into the muscular layer of the body. It is very painful as the needle needs to pierce very deep to reach the muscular layer. It cannot be self-administered and can cause injury to the nerves in worse cases.

Intra- articular route: Drug is injected into the joint space. It is generally used for the administration of drug used to cure Rheumatoid arthritis. Conditions should be highly aseptic by sterilization of the needle, syringe as well as the nearby surroundings.

Sources of drugs

Drugs can be obtained from various sources; they can be either natural or artificial. The various sources of drugs are:

Plant sources : Drugs can be obtained from various parts of the plant such as root, stem, leaves and even seeds. Such parts have various active metabolites such as alkaloids, oils, gums, tannins, resins etc. which can be used for the preparation of a drug. Some examples are

Morphine is obtained from the fruit of the plant Opium, which is used as an analgesic.

Quinine is obtained from the bark of Cinchona tree, which is used for the treatment of Malaria.

In old days, Insulin hormone was extracted from the pancreas of pig and cow. (Nowadays it is not used because it can cause infection).

The drug heparin is extracted from leech which is an anti- coagulant and is used for the process of dialysis.

Thyroxine hormone is extracted from the thyroid hormone of various animals.

Pepsin is extracted from the stomach of cow which is a digestive hormone.

Microorganism source : Various microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, Protista are the sources of various drugs. Some examples are:

The first antibiotic Penicillin obtained from fungus Penicillium notatum.

Streptomycin drug is obtained from a bacterium Streptomyces griseus.

Mineral sources : Minerals and metals can also be the source of various drugs. Some of them are:

Aluminium hydroxide which is an antacid.

Milk of magnesia which is also an antacid and laxative.

Ferrous sulphate which is used for anaemia patients.

Synthetic sources : Drugs can also be made in the laboratory hence the name synthetic. Such drugs can be synthesised as per requirement and can be produced in a large scale. Examples are, Paracetamol, Lomotil etc.

Human source: Human beings can also be the source of certain drugs. Some examples are:

HCG (Human chorionic gonadotrophin) obtained from pregnant Huan female.

Urokinase obtained from human kidney cells.

Drug receptors

A drug can only work when it is received by a drug receptor in the body. A drug receptor received the drug and induces changes in the body.

A particular drug has a particular type of drug receptor which would not receive any other drug, thus, drug receptors are highly specific. The types of drug receptors are:

• Cytoplasmic receptors
• G-protein coupled receptors
• Ligand gated ion channels
• Enzyme couples receptors.

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Essay on Effect of Drugs on Youth

Students are often asked to write an essay on Effect of Drugs on Youth in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Effect of Drugs on Youth

Introduction.

Drugs have a significant influence on youth, often leading to harmful consequences. Young people are more susceptible to addiction due to their developing brains.

Physical Impact

Drugs can severely damage the health of young people. They can lead to heart diseases, lung problems, and other serious illnesses.

Mental Impact

Drugs can also cause mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even psychosis. They can affect memory and learning abilities, hindering academic performance.

Social Consequences

Drug use can lead to strained relationships, isolation, and legal problems. It can also lead to risky behaviors, affecting the future of the youth.

In conclusion, drugs can have devastating effects on youth. It’s crucial to educate them about these dangers to prevent drug abuse.

250 Words Essay on Effect of Drugs on Youth

The allure and consequences of drug use.

The youth, often considered the backbone of society, are increasingly falling prey to the menace of drug abuse. The reasons behind this are manifold – peer pressure, curiosity, stress, and the desire for an ‘escape’ from reality. These substances, while offering temporary relief, have devastating long-term effects.

Physical and Psychological Impact

Drugs interfere with the normal functioning of the brain, leading to physical and psychological dependencies. Prolonged usage can cause severe health issues like liver damage, cardiovascular diseases, and even brain damage. Psychologically, drugs can lead to anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.

Impact on Education and Career

Drug abuse also affects academic performance and career prospects. Concentration levels drop, grades plummet, and the ability to perform even simple tasks diminishes. This leads to a vicious cycle of poor performance and increased drug use.

The social implications are equally alarming. Drug abuse can lead to isolation, as relationships with family and friends deteriorate. It can also lead to criminal activities, as individuals resort to unlawful means to fund their addiction.

Conclusion: The Need for Intervention

The effects of drug abuse on youth are far-reaching and destructive. It is crucial to create awareness about the dangers of drug use, promote healthy coping mechanisms, and provide support for those struggling with addiction. This is not just an individual fight, but a societal one that requires collective action and commitment.

500 Words Essay on Effect of Drugs on Youth

Drug abuse is a global concern, impacting people of all demographics, but its effects on youth are particularly alarming. The impact of drugs on young people is multifaceted, affecting their physical health, mental wellbeing, academic performance, and social relationships.

Physical Health Consequences

Youth is a critical period for physical development. Drug abuse can significantly hinder this process, leading to severe health problems. Drugs like alcohol, marijuana, and opioids can cause long-lasting damage to the brain, liver, heart, and other organs. The damage can be immediate, like alcohol poisoning, or long-term, such as liver cirrhosis or heart disease.

Mental Health Implications

The effects of drugs on youth extend beyond the physical to the psychological realm. Drugs can alter brain chemistry, leading to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Moreover, the dependence on drugs can exacerbate feelings of isolation, loneliness, and low self-esteem, creating a vicious cycle of substance use and emotional pain.

Academic Performance and Future Prospects

Drugs can significantly impact a youth’s academic performance. Cognitive impairment, lack of focus, and absenteeism are common among drug-abusing students, leading to poor grades and high dropout rates. This can limit their future prospects, as they may struggle to find stable employment or pursue higher education.

Social Relationships and Crime

Drug use can strain relationships with family and friends, leading to social isolation. Additionally, the illicit nature of drug use can expose youth to criminal activities and legal problems. The association between drug use and crime is well-documented, with young drug users more likely to engage in criminal behavior, further limiting their opportunities.

Prevention and Intervention

Given the profound impact of drugs on youth, prevention and intervention strategies are crucial. Schools, families, and communities need to work together to educate young people about the dangers of drug use. Early intervention programs can help identify at-risk youth, providing them with the necessary support to overcome potential drug problems.

The effects of drugs on youth are profound and far-reaching, influencing their physical and mental health, academic achievements, and social relationships. Understanding these impacts is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. It is a collective responsibility to safeguard our youth, the future of our society, from the perils of drug abuse.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Drug Addiction Among Youth
• Essay on Causes of Drug Abuse
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Ozempic Hurts the Fight Against Eating Disorders

I t’s impossible to escape the soaring popularity of Ozempic and similar drugs these days—daily headlines, celebrity “success” stories, and apparent ease in procuring prescriptions (even Costco sells them now) abound. But the cumulative effect of all of this has many experts in the eating disorder field worried about how this might affect their patients. This makes sense—even for those without eating disorders, these drugs can feel both triggering and enticing. After all, research tells us about 90% of women are dissatisfied with their bodies. This sounds like a quick fix.

Then, I started hearing reports—first anecdotal, then published —that some doctors were prescribing weight loss drugs like Ozempic to their patients with eating disorders. As in, to help treat them.

As a journalist who has extensively researched the harms of eating disorders and the barriers to recovery—and as a woman who had suffered from eating disorders on and off for much of my own life—I thought I must have misunderstood. Yes, we as a society are in the midst of Ozempic Fever—and by “fever,” I’m referring to excitement, rather than a possible side effect of the drug (which it is). Researchers are continuing to find new potential applications for these drugs, initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes. In March, the FDA approved a new indication for the weight-loss drug Wegovy (which has the same active ingredient as Ozempic), allowing it to be used as a treatment to reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke. Ozempic, a diabetes drug, used off-label for weight loss, is also being studied to treat anxiety and depression , polycystic ovary syndrome, substance abuse, Alzheimer’s , and now—eating disorders.

Read More: Ozempic Exposed the Cracks in the Body Positivity Movement

It’s early days and research hasn’t yet caught up with the enthusiasm.  But our cultural misunderstanding of eating disorders, even by well-meaning practitioners, could exacerbate the illnesses for those who suffer from them—and have dire consequences.

The new class of weight loss drugs mimics the body’s GLP-1 hormone , stimulating insulin production, and lowering blood sugar levels, helpful to those with type 2 diabetes. The drugs also curb appetite and slow the speed that food moves into the small intestine—you feel full more quickly and eat less. Many patients without eating disorders who take these drugs, have reported a reduction of “food noise” in their minds—referring to obsessive thoughts and preoccupation with food. (Though, as philosopher Kate Manne wisely posited in a recent New York Times piece , isn’t “food noise,” simply, hunger?)

For folks suffering from binge eating disorder (BED) or bulimia nervosa (BN), a drug that decreases appetite may seem to make sense. Both illnesses are characterized by eating large amounts of food, eating until uncomfortably full, and feeling distress around that (bulimia is distinguished by purging after a binge).

Binge eating often emerges as part of a cycle of restriction—dieting, fasting, or eliminating entire food groups—like carbs, for example. “Many people struggling with BED view the binge episodes as the problem and the restriction as something to strive for,” said Alexis Conason, a psychologist specializing in the treatment of binge eating disorder. “When people with BED take a GLP-1 medication that dampens their appetite, many are excited that they can be ‘better’ at restriction and consume very little throughout the day.” Subsequently, Conason adds, there is a dangerous potential for BED to then morph into anorexia, starving oneself with possibly life-threatening complications.

Eating disorders are complex illnesses that aren’t yet fully understood, even by experts in the field. Underneath the behaviors around food is often an intricate web of trauma, anxiety, and even genetic predisposition, all set against the backdrop of a culture that prizes thinness . Low weight is frequently (incorrectly) conflated with good health, and people in larger bodies are often subjected to bullying, negative stereotypes, and discrimination in the workplace .

Read More: Ozempic Gets the Oprah Treatment in a New TV Special

Emerging research strongly supports that for many, eating disorders are brain-based illnesses and in most cases, there exists a co-morbidity like anxiety, mood disorders, or substance abuse.

“GLP-1’s can’t help someone deal with their stress, anxiety, [and] trauma-history,” said psychologist Cynthia Bulik, one of the world’s leading eating disorder researchers, and Founding Director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence of Eating Disorders. “All of that background distress—fundamental distress that might be driving the BED in the first place—is temporarily bypassed by removing the desire to eat.”

Nearly 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime, but only about 6% of those are medically diagnosed as “underweight,” according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. This means that a person may exhibit all of the diagnostic hallmarks of anorexia, for example, extreme restriction and even malnourishment, but still present as average weight or even overweight. They may even be told by a physician to lose weight, despite the fact that they are already going to dangerous extremes to chase that “goal.”

“We tend to think that everyone in a larger body with an eating disorder must have BED and everyone in a smaller body must have anorexia, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Conason. “So many people with BED seek help in weight loss settings instead of seeking eating disorder treatment; many view the problem as their weight and think they need more help sticking to their diet” when in reality, an end to the restriction would more likely regulate their eating.

It’s much easier to get weight loss treatment than help for an eating disorder. There is no standard of care for eating disorders in this country and treatment is unregulated. While there are some promising, evidenced-based treatments (cognitive behavioral therapy for adults, and family-based treatment for children and teens), they don’t work for everyone. If a person is fortunate to be diagnosed and receive adequate treatment, relapses are common and full recovery can be elusive.

Further, these drugs are often intended to be taken for a person’s entire life. “When they go off the drug, or can’t access it due to supply problems, the urge to binge comes right back and they have not developed any psychological (or) behavioral skills to manage the urge,” Bulik told me. Just like with a diet, any lost weight will likely be regained when a person stops taking the drugs. Weight fluctuations, themselves ,may increase a person’s risk of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, according to multiple studies.

“The focus on weight and erasing the desire to eat could indeed do harm,” cautioned Bulik. “The potential for abuse is high and will become higher with new preparations that don’t require an injection … Remember, these drugs are ‘for life.’ Stop them, and everything comes rushing back.”

The long-term side effects of GLP-1’s are not yet known. But the harms of eating disorders are: eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness (second only to opioid overdose). People with eating disorders are more likely to attempt suicide, and during COVID-19, emergency room visits and inpatient admissions for eating disorders at pediatric hospitals skyrocketed, particularly for young women. According to the CDC, emergency room visits for 12-17 year old girls who suffer from eating disorders doubled during the pandemic. Those numbers, as shown by recent studies , have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

An even greater concern is that the gaps in comprehensive care for eating disorders invite experimental, potentially harmful treatments and leave patients vulnerable. GLP-1’s may seem like a short-term “fix,” but they won’t graze the deeper issues nor will they diminish the eating disorder crisis in this country. And it is a crisis—every year, eating disorders cost the U.S. more than $65 billion .

I know too well that if a doctor advises their patient with an eating disorder “here’s something to make you eat less” most patients would happily oblige. That’s part of the pathology of the illness. It’s the eating disorder talking. Ideally, it wouldn’t be your doctor’s voice, too.

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California Invests More Than $50 Million in Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

Published: Apr 10, 2024

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: California is awarding new grants to fund  the “Elevate Youth California” campaign – a statewide program dedicated to supporting youth mental health and preventing substance abuse among kids and teens.

SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is awarding over $51 million to 75 community-based and tribal organizations, utilizing Prop 64 funding, to further support youth mental health and expand the state’s substance abuse prevention programs. Efforts like these help inform young Californians about the dangers of drugs, how to prevent substance abuse, and cope with adversity and trauma.

“As a father, I know that kids today are under more stress than ever. California is committed to providing the mental health support that children need and deserve — and tools to help them cope with adversity.” Governor Gavin Newsom

“Kids are under tremendous stress and looking for ways to cope. As parents, the Governor and I are committed to strategic investments like these that support young people’s physical and mental health, ensuring they have the resources they need to understand and prevent substance use disorder.” First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

HELPING CALIFORNIANS: The Elevate Youth Campaign (EYC) provides three-year grants to youth-focused community-based and tribal organizations that:

• Implement youth development, peer support, and mentoring programs that are evidence-based and help kids heal and recover from trauma, cope with adversity, and thrive.
• Empower youth to get involved in their communities.
• Prioritize harm reduction and public health solutions that address and prevent substance use disorder.

KEY NUMBERS: Since 2019, DHCS’ EYC program has engaged 6,793 new diverse stakeholders over five grant cycles:

• providing services to 68,539 youth;
• holding 41,185 prevention program events with 296,435 participants;
• convening 259 listening sessions.

BIGGER PICTURE: Programs and investments like these are all part of Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom’s Mental Health Movement , which takes a whole-body approach to helping people get the support and care they need – focusing on:

• Treatment and Housing for Those Who Need it Most;
• Increasing Access to Mental Health Services;
• Building our Health Care Workforce;
• Supporting and Serving our Kids.

As part of this effort, the Newsom Administration launched the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative and the Master Plan to Tackle the Fentanyl & Opioid Crisis . To learn more about California’s response to the opioid crisis, visit www.opioids.ca.gov .

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Youth Gender Medications Limited in England, Part of Big Shift in Europe

Five European countries have recently restricted hormone treatments for adolescents with gender distress. They have not banned the care, unlike many U.S. states.

By Azeen Ghorayshi

Azeen Ghorayshi reports on transgender health and visited the world’s first youth gender clinic in Amsterdam this fall.

The National Health Service in England started restricting gender treatments for children this month, making it the fifth European country to limit the medications because of a lack of evidence of their benefits and concern about long-term harms.

England’s change resulted from a four-year review released Tuesday evening by Dr. Hilary Cass, an independent pediatrician. “For most young people, a medical pathway will not be the best way to manage their gender-related distress,” the report concluded. In a related editorial published in a medical journal, Dr. Cass said the evidence that youth gender treatments were beneficial was “built on shaky foundations.”

The N.H.S. will no longer offer drugs that block puberty , except for patients enrolled in clinical research. And the report recommended that hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which spur permanent physical changes, be prescribed to minors with “extreme caution.” (The guidelines do not apply to doctors in private practice, who serve a small fraction of the population.)

England’s move is part of a broader shift in northern Europe, where health officials have been concerned by soaring demand for adolescent gender treatments in recent years. Many patients also have mental health conditions that make it difficult to pinpoint the root cause of their distress, known as dysphoria.

In 2020, Finland’s health agency restricted the care by recommending psychotherapy as the primary treatment for adolescents with gender dysphoria. Two years later, Sweden restricted hormone treatments to “exceptional cases.”

In December, regional health authorities in Norway designated youth gender medicine as a “treatment under trial,” meaning hormones will be prescribed only to adolescents in clinical trials. And in Denmark, new guidelines being finalized this year will limit hormone treatments to transgender adolescents who have experienced dysphoria since early childhood.

Several transgender advocacy groups in Europe have condemned the changes , saying that they infringe on civil rights and exacerbate the problems of overstretched health systems. In England, around 5,800 children were on the waiting list for gender services at the end of 2023, according to the N.H.S.

“The waiting list is known to be hell,” said N., a 17-year-old transgender boy in southern England who requested to withhold his full name for privacy. He has been on the waiting list for five years, during which time he was diagnosed with autism and depression. “On top of the trans panic our own government is pushing, we feel forgotten and left behind,” he said.

In the United States, Republican politicians have cited the pullback in Europe to justify laws against youth gender medicine. But the European policies are notably different from the outright bans for adolescents passed in 22 U.S. states, some of which threaten doctors with prison time or investigate parents for child abuse. The European countries will still allow gender treatments for certain adolescents and are requiring new clinical trials to study and better understand their effects.

“We haven’t banned the treatment,” said Dr. Mette Ewers Haahr, a psychiatrist who leads Denmark’s sole youth gender clinic, in Copenhagen. Effective treatments must consider human rights and patient safety, she said. “You have to weigh both.”

In February, the European Academy of Paediatrics acknowledged the concerns about youth gender medicine. “The fundamental question of whether biomedical treatments (including hormone therapy) for gender dysphoria are effective remains contested,” the group wrote. In contrast, the American Academy of Pediatrics last summer reaffirmed its endorsement of the care, stating that hormonal treatments are essential and should be covered by health insurers, while also commissioning a systematic review of evidence.

Europeans pioneered the use of gender treatments for young people. In the 1990s, a clinic in Amsterdam began giving puberty-suppressing drugs to adolescents who had felt they were a different gender since early childhood.

The Dutch doctors reasoned that puberty blockers could give young patients with gender dysphoria time to explore their identity and decide whether to proceed with hormones to ultimately transition. For patients facing male puberty, the drugs would stave off the physical changes — such as a deeper voice and facial hair — that could make it more difficult for them to live as women in adulthood. The Dutch team’s research, which was first published in 2011 and tracked a carefully selected group of 70 adolescents, found that puberty blockers, in conjunction with therapy, improved psychological functioning.

That study was hugely influential, inspiring clinics around the world to follow the Dutch protocol. Referrals to these clinics began to surge around 2014, though the numbers remain small. At Sweden’s clinic, for example, referrals grew to 350 adolescents in 2022 from around 50 in 2014. In England, those numbers grew to 3,600 referrals in 2022 from 470 in 2014.

Clinics worldwide reported that the increase was largely driven by patients raised as girls. And unlike the participants in the original Dutch study, many of the new patients did not experience gender distress until puberty and had other mental health conditions, including depression and autism.

Given these changes, some clinicians are questioning the relevance of the original Dutch findings for today’s patients.

“The whole world is giving the treatment, to thousands, tens of thousands of young people, based on one study,” said Dr. Riittakerttu Kaltiala, a psychiatrist who has led the youth gender program in Finland since 2011 and has become a vocal critic of the care.

Dr. Kaltiala’s own research found that about 80 percent of patients at the Finnish clinic were born female and began experiencing gender distress later in adolescence. Many patients also had psychological issues and were not helped by hormonal treatments, she found. In 2020, Finland severely limited use of the drugs.

Around the same time, the Swedish government commissioned a rigorous research review that found “insufficient” evidence for hormone therapies for youth. In 2022, Sweden recommended hormones only for “exceptional cases,” citing in part the uncertainty around how many young people may choose to stop or reverse their medical transitions down the line, known as detransitioning.

Even the original Dutch clinic is facing pressure to limit patients receiving the care. In December, a public documentary series in the Netherlands questioned the basis of the treatments. And in February, months after a far-right political party swept an election in a country long known as socially liberal , the Dutch Parliament passed a resolution to conduct research comparing the current Dutch approach with that of other European countries.

“I would have liked that the Netherlands was an island,” said Dr. Annelou de Vries, a psychiatrist who led the original Dutch research and still heads the Amsterdam clinic. “But of course, we are not — we are also part of the global world. So in a way, if everybody is starting to be concerned, of course, these concerns come also to our country.”

In England, brewing concerns about the surge of new patients reached a boiling point in 2018, when 10 clinicians at the N.H.S.’s sole youth gender clinic, known as the Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service, formally complained that they felt pressure to quickly approve children, including those with serious mental health problems, for puberty blockers.

In 2021, Tavistock clinicians published a study of 44 children who took puberty blockers that showed a different result from the Dutch: The patients given the drugs, on average, saw no impact on psychological function.

Although the drugs did not lessen thoughts of self-harm or the severity of dysphoria, the adolescents were “resoundingly thrilled to be on the blocker,” Dr. Polly Carmichael, the head of the clinic, said at a 2016 conference . And 43 of the 44 study participants later chose to start testosterone or estrogen, raising questions about whether the drug was serving its intended purpose of giving adolescents time to consider whether a medical transition was right for them.

In 2020, the N.H.S. commissioned Dr. Cass to carry out an independent review of the treatments. She commissioned scientific reviews and considered international guidelines of the care. She also met with young people and their families, trans adults, people who had detransitioned, advocacy groups and clinicians.

The review concluded that the N.H.S.’s standard of care was inadequate, with long waiting lists for access to drug treatments and few routes to address the mental health concerns that may be contributing to gender distress. The N.H.S. shuttered the Tavistock center last month and opened two new youth gender clinics, which Dr. Cass said should have a “holistic” approach, with more support for those with autism, depression and eating disorders, as well as psychotherapy to help adolescents explore their identities.

“Children and young people have just been really poorly served,” Dr. Cass said in an interview with the editor of The British Medical Journal, released Tuesday. She added, “I can’t think of another area of pediatric care where we give young people potentially irreversible treatments and have no idea what happens to them in adulthood.”

The changes enacted by the N.H.S. this month are “an acknowledgment that our concerns were, in fact, valid,” said Anna Hutchinson, a clinical psychologist in London who was one of the Tavistock staff members who raised concerns in 2018. “It’s reassuring that we’re going to return to a more robust, evidence-based pathway for decisions relating to these children.”

Some critics said that Europe, like the United States, had also been influenced by a growing backlash against transgender people.

In Britain, for example, a yearslong fight over a proposed law that would have made it easier for transgender people to change the gender on their identification documents galvanized a political movement to try to exclude transgender women from women’s sports, prisons and domestic violence shelters.

“The intention with the Cass review is to be neutral, but I think that neutral has maybe moved,” said Laurence Webb, a representative from Mermaids, a trans youth advocacy organization in Britain. “Extremist views have become much more normalized.”

Other countries have seen more overt attacks on transgender rights and health care. In 2020, Hungary’s Parliament passed a law banning gender identity changes on legal documents. Last year, Russia banned legal gender changes as well as gender-related medical care, with one lawmaker describing gender surgeries as the “path to the degeneration of the nation.”

In France this year, a group of conservative legislators introduced a bill to ban doctors from prescribing puberty blockers and hormones, with punishments of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 euros, or about $32,600. And on Monday, the Vatican condemned gender transitions as threats to human dignity.

Azeen Ghorayshi covers the intersection of sex, gender and science for The Times. More about Azeen Ghorayshi

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Analytical Essay

Introduction, works cited.

For along time now, drug and alcohol abuse in the society has been a problem that affects the youth and the society at large. The youth in the society get engaged in abusing substances that they feel all help them forget their problems. This paper highlights the problems of drug abuse and alcohol drinking among the youth in the society.

Alcohol is a substance that contains some elements that are bring about physical and psychological changes to an individual. Being a depressant, alcohol affects the nervous system altering the emotions and perceptions of individuals. Many teenager abuse alcohol and other drug substances due to curiosity, the need to feel good and to fit in their different groups. Drinking alcohol should not be encouraged because it usually affects the health of the youth.

It puts their health at a risk. Drinking youth are more likely to engage in irresponsible sexual activities that may result in unexpected pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, teenagers who drink are more likely to get fat while complicating further their health conditions. Moreover, the youth drinking are at a risk of engaging in criminal activities hence being arrested (Cartwright 133).

According to the Australian Psychological Society, a drug can be a substance that brings about physical or psychological changes to an individual (2). Youngsters in the in the community take stuffs to increase enjoyment or decrease the sensational or physical pain. Some of the abused drugs by the youth in the society include marijuana, alcohol, heroine and cocaine.

The dangers of drug abuse are the chronic intoxication of the youth that is detrimental to their societies. Much intake of drugs leads to addiction that is indicated by the desire to take the drugs that cannot be resisted.

The effect of alcohol and other hard drugs are direct on the central nervous system. Alcohol and drug abuse is linked to societal practices like, partying, societal events, entertainment, and spirituality. The Australian Psychological Society argues that the choice of a substance is influenced by the particular needs of the substance user (3).

However, the effects of drug abuse differ from one individual to another. The abuse of drugs becomes a social problem whenever the users fail to meet some social responsibilities at home, work, or school. This is usually the effect when the substances are used more than they are normally taken. Additionally, when the use of substances is addictive, it leads to social problems (Cartwright 135).

Drug and alcohol abuse among the youth in the society should be discouraged and voided at all costs. The youth are affected and the society is affected. The productive young men and women cannot perform their social duties. One way in which the abuse of drugs and alcohol can be avoided in the society is through engaging the youth in various productive activities. This will reduce their idle time while keeping them busy (Cartwright 134).

They will not have enough time for drinking. Additionally, they will have fewer problems to worry about. They should also be educated and warned about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse both to their health and to the society. Since alcohol and substance abuse is related to increased crime in the society, its reduction will lead to reduced crime rates and economic growth.

The Australian Psychological Society. Alcohol, and Other Drugs . Australian Psychological society. Web.

Cartwright, William. Costs of Drug Abuse to the Society. The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics , 1999. 2, 133-134.

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IvyPanda. (2023, December 18). Drug and Alcohol Abuse. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-and-alcohol-abuse/

"Drug and Alcohol Abuse." IvyPanda , 18 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/drug-and-alcohol-abuse/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Drug and Alcohol Abuse'. 18 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Drug and Alcohol Abuse." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-and-alcohol-abuse/.

1. IvyPanda . "Drug and Alcohol Abuse." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-and-alcohol-abuse/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Drug and Alcohol Abuse." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/drug-and-alcohol-abuse/.

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Government announces new Youth Mental Health Fund

From: Department of Finance Canada

News release

Today, the government announced Canada’s new Youth Mental Health Fund, which will help younger Canadians access the mental health care they need, by reducing wait times and providing more care options. This will help build a happier, healthier future for every generation.

April 9, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Finance Canada

Younger Canadians feel like the deck is stacked against them. That is, in part, leading to higher rates of mental health challenges than other generations. And, because many of them are still in school or just starting their careers, they are more likely to struggle with the costs of private mental health care. Through no fault of their own, Gen Z has inherited an expensive housing market, and a rising cost of living—both of which are causing unprecedented anxiety about their future. It is more important than ever that young Canadians get the support they need. Every generation should be able to get the health care they need—and that includes mental health care.

To help younger Canadians access mental health care, Budget 2024 will propose an investment of $500 million for a new Youth Mental Health Fund .

The new Youth Mental Health Fund will help community health organizations provide more care for younger Canadians, and better equip these organizations to refer youth to other mental health services within their networks and partnerships.

It is critical that youth have what they need to build a happy, healthy start in their adulthood. Mental health care is an essential part of ensuring every young Canadian can reach their full potential, and that helps Canada’s economy reach its full potential, too.

In addition, the federal government today announced that, since announcing its $200 billion health care plan last year, it has now signed bilateral health care agreements with all thirteen provinces and territories. These thirteen agreements, tailored to the unique needs of Canadians in every part of the country, will begin to deliver $25 billion in new funding to hire more doctors and nurses, reduce wait times and backlogs, improve mental health care, and more.

These investments in health care will help ensure every generation can reach their full potential. Alongside these measures, in next week’s budget, the government will continue taking action to build more homes, faster, make life more affordable, and create more good jobs and economic growth to ensure every generation can get ahead.

“Fairness for every generation very much includes ensuring younger generations can get the help they need right when—and where—they need it most. Our new $500 million Youth Mental Health Fund will help more youth access mental health care in their communities, so that every generation can reach their full potential.” - The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

“By working together we can help young Canadians access the mental health care they deserve. We’re taking concrete steps every day to improve our health system and access to the care everyone needs when they need it.” - The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health

“Our new $500 million Youth Mental Health Fund is a once-in-a-generation investment in youth, our country’s future, at a time when they need it most. This fund will help fill gaps in our mental health support system and ensure young Canadians get the help they need to succeed, right in their communities.” - The Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health

“Young Canadians are bravely confronting their challenges with mental health, isolation, and uncertainty by taking the crucial first step -- seeking help. It's important that this step is always met with accessible and effective support, not barriers or delays. The Youth Mental Health Fund is our commitment to making sure that their courage leads to the care they deserve. They've taken the first step; we're making sure they're supported for the next one.” - The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

Quick facts

Budget 2024 will be tabled in the House of Commons by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Today’s announcement builds on the historic investments the federal government has made over the years to expand access to community-based mental health and addictions services for children and youth, including:

• Providing $5 billion over ten years to provinces and territories , as announced in Budget 2017, for mental health and addictions services, which included expanding access to community-based mental health and addictions services for children and youth.
• Launching 988: Suicide Crisis Helpline to provide suicide crisis support for people who need it, when they need it most;
• Providing $14.25 million in annual funding to the Mental Health Commission of Canada , to advance mental health in the priority areas of suicide prevention, mental health and substance use, engagement with Canadians, and population-based initiatives which includes children, youth, and emerging adults; and,
• The Mental Health Promotion Innovation Fund , with $5 million in annual funding to support the delivery of innovative, community-based programs in mental health promotion for infants, children, youth and their caregivers.

Budget 2023 announced the federal government’s $200 billion ten year health care plan to help provinces and territories improve their universal public health care systems, and deliver better health care outcomes for Canadians. This includes improving access to quality mental health, substance use and addictions services.

• As part of this funding, the federal government has since signed thirteen bilateral health and mental health care agreements to begin providing $25 billion to all provinces and territories.
• expanding access to family health services, including in rural and remote areas;
• supporting health workers and reducing backlogs;
• increasing mental health and substance use support; and,
• modernizing health care systems with health data and digital tools. 

Associated links

• Mental health services
• Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians: Bilateral agreements
• February 7, 2023: Working together to improve health care for Canadians

Media may contact:

Katherine Cuplinskas Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance [email protected]

Media Relations Department of Finance Canada [email protected] 613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 1-833-712-2292 TTY: 613-369-3230 E-mail: [email protected]

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Twitter: @financecanada

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Brussels proposes return to pre-Brexit mobility for UK and EU young people

Commission to seek approval from leaders to start talks with UK on visa-free exchanges for 18- to 30-year-olds

The European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with the UK to allow mobility enjoyed before Brexit to millions of 18- to 30-year-olds in a major concession.

It said it would now seek approval from individual EU leaders to start the talks, which could partly eliminate one of the most controversial elements of Brexit , a block on the right to live in one another’s countries, albeit for a limited period and with conditions.

Referring to the post-Brexit trading agreement on Northern Ireland, the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Since we have the Windsor agreement in place, the relationship has been much more constructive.

“There are certainly topics where we can have closer collaboration … and the topic of youth mobility is in both our interests because the more we have youth mobility being on both sides of the channel, the more we increase the probability we will be on good terms because the next generation knows each other very well.”

Under the envisaged agreement, EU and UK citizens aged between 18 and 30 would be able to stay for up to four years in the destination country, the European Commission said in a detailed statement.

If agreed, a youth mobility scheme visa would be issued in those countries that participate, with possible conditions including a requirement for health insurance and proof of sufficient subsistence funds, a feature of other mobility schemes around the world.

“The objective would be to facilitate youth exchanges, making it easier for young EU citizens to travel, work and live in the UK, with reciprocity for young UK nationals in a member state,” the commission said .

The decision by the commission, which has in the past been vehemently opposed to making any concessions to the UK sought since Brexit, is seen as a breakthrough in UK-EU relations.

The proposal to open negotiation must first be agreed by EU leaders. Sources say the first opportunity could arise in May at a meeting of general affairs ministers.

If approved, it would mean millions of young people could come to the UK to fill the gap left by Brexit in the hospitality sector, and also in universities. It would mean seasonal work, from restaurant work to jobs in ski resorts, would be available again to British young people in EU countries.

It may also make it easier for UK and EU universities to recruit researchers, particularly those involved in the Horizon science research programme. Under the scheme it is also envisaged that the university student home-fee system would be restored in both directions, ending the crippling overseas fees which sometimes amounted to more than £40,000 a year.

The Swedish minister for European affairs, Jessika Roswall, told the Guardian: “Sweden has pushed for this and we feel this is very important for the youth and students in the EU and the UK, they are the winners.”

In its announcement, thecommission said it had acted after the UK had made approaches to individual EU countries, known to include France, to open a youth mobility scheme.

UK ministers have argued that it would not be a backtracking on one of the key elements of Brexit, the end of free movement for British citizens. They argued that France already had such an agreement with Canada, and Australia had a similar deal with the UK, and that it would be an important way to foster cultural exchange for future generations.

“Mobility would not be purpose-bound, ie beneficiaries should be able to undertake different activities during that period, such as studying, training, working or travelling, neither would mobility be subject to a quota system,” said the commission.

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Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “We have been calling for these schemes to be expanded and I’m pleased to see the EU Commission coming to the table with a plan to open negotiations. I hope the EU Council agrees with the proposal and that talks between the UK and EU can begin as soon as possible.”

The commission’s statement raises a possibility that it could pave the way for university places in one another’s countries if member states and the UK saw fit. And agreement “would also provide for equal treatment (ie, non-discrimination) between EU and UK citizens in respect of higher education tuition fees”, the statement said.

The commission stressed that a youth mobility scheme would not be reinstating free movement as it would come with conditions including a limited stay in one another’s countries.

“The envisaged agreement would provide for limited-in-time mobility, subject to the fulfilment of conditions to be checked before the mobility can take place. The conditions should also be met during the stay. It is not about conferring to young UK nationals the benefits of the fundamental freedom of movement enjoyed by EU citizens,” it said.

It added that Brexit had particularly “affected the opportunities for young people to experience life on the other side of the channel and to benefit from youth, cultural, educational, research and training exchanges”.

It also said that a bloc-wide deal was preferable to a series of bilaterals as it would ensure equal treatment for every person in the scheme.

Lord Kinnoull, the chair of the House of Lords European affairs committee, which recommended such a mobility programme, welcomed the development, saying if agreement was reached it would be “greatly to the mutual benefit of both parties and to the youth of Europe”.

• European Commission
• European Union
• Young people
• Foreign policy

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NBA YoungBoy arrested in Utah for alleged possession of a weapon, drugs while awaiting trial

NBA YoungBoy has been arrested in Utah amid house arrest in a federal case.

Inmate records reviewed by USA TODAY show the 24-year-old rapper, born Kentrell Gaulden, was arrested in Cache County Tuesday evening on six charges, including: unlawful activity, procuring or attempting to procure drugs, identity fraud, forgery, possession of controlled substances and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.

There was no bail set as of Wednesday afternoon.

Lieutenant Mikelshan Bartschi of Cache County Sheriff's Office told ABC4 Utah and FOX13 a search warrant was executed on Gaulden's property Tuesday morning with the help of multiple agencies including the FBI, a SWAT team and Homeland Security Investigations.

"Current criminal charges for Mr. Gaulden include pattern of unlawful activity. The pattern of unlawful activity includes violations of the Utah Controlled Substances Act, the Identity Fraud Act and fraud," Bartschi told the outlets in a statement.

USA TODAY has reached out to Bartschi and representatives for YoungBoy.

Why is NBA YoungBoy under house arrest?

The Louisiana rapper has been on 24-hour house arrest in Utah since October 2021 after a judge in a federal case against him in his home state granted him conditional release as he awaits trial stemming from an arrest in September 2020 involving several others, court records obtained by USA TODAY show.

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2021 for possession of two weapons.

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Under the terms of the rapper's house arrest, he is only able to leave for court appearances, appointments pertaining to his mental health and "employment-related activities" that have been approved, court documents show.

Since his house release began, he's released three albums: "The Last Slimento," "I Rest My Case" and "Don't Try This at Home."

Amid his federal case in Louisiana, Gaulden was arrested for alleged possession of a weapon Los Angeles in March 2021 shortly after his earlier indictment. He went to trial for the Los Angeles case in July 2022 and was acquitted of the charges, per court records.

It's unclear how his arrest in Utah will affect his federal case in Louisiana.