March 19th, 2008 by jgold454

School is the place where most teens begin thinking about using drugs and alcohol. Peer pressure has an enormous impact on an individual’s desire to begin experimenting. Unfortunately, that experimentation often leads to alcoholism and drug addiction. According to a recent survey, just over half (52.8 percent) of high school seniors had tried illegal drugs. Half of teens admitted that they had consumed alcohol in the past thirty days, and about a third of them said they had been drunk at least once.

Drug and alcohol use has many negative affects on a teen’s life. It can contribute to poor academic performance, anti-social behavior, violence, self-destructive behavior, damaged relationships, and health conditions. Schools should provide education about drug and alcohol addiction, be supportive of parents, and train staff to recognize an addiction in a student.

It is unfortunate that some people develop alcoholism and drug addiction when they are just starting out in life. Taking care of an addiction or abuse problem as soon as possible will improve chances for long-term success. Drug and alcohol abuse are also rampant in college, so it’s ideal that teens learn the necessary tools avoid these things while still at home and in high school.

People’s brains are not fully developed in terms of being capable of weighing consequences and being able to make the best informed decisions until they are about 25 years old. The influence that other people can have on a teen’s choice to be involved with drug abuse or alcohol abuse is huge. Studies show that the way parents feel about these substances and whether they have spoken to the teen about them influences their decisions about drug and alcohol use. Parents can also prevent substance abuse and addiction by modeling proper behavior in their own lives and monitoring their teens. These actions will help to combat the negative influences that teens often get from school and friends.