What measures do we take to ensure the safety of our youth? This question is important in many ways because there are so many things that can hurt or derail our youth. One of the most difficult and dangerous of these is drug use and the impact it can have on an adolescent’s life. The impact of drugs on teens varies based on socio-economic factors.
The most common illicit substances used by today’s adolescents include alcohol, nicotine vaping, cannabis, and Delta-8-THC. A study by Drew Desilver of Pew Research Center reports that teens In the US between the ages of Thirteen to Seventeen say drug addiction (51%) and alcohol consumption (45%) are major problems among their peers.
It is not surprising to learn that drug use can have significant impacts on teens and adversely affect their physical and mental health, academic performance, and relationships. Additionally substance abuse during adolescence has been linked to issues with brain development, potentially causing long term consequences.
While the problem of illicit substance use remains an issue, there is some positive news in regard to overall use by today’s teens. A December 2023 news release from The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) reported on “The Monitoring the Future survey,” which was conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The survey looked at adolescent use of alcohol, nicotine vaping, and cannabis as well as other illicit drugs during 2020–22. The study “reported use for almost all substances decreased dramatically between 2020 and 2021, after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and related changes like school closures and social distancing. In 2022, most reported substance use among adolescents held steady at these lowered levels, and these latest data show that this trend has continued into 2023.”
Lower overall use means better teen health, but there is still one substantial area of concern: overdoses.The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in December 2023 that, “rates of unintentional drug overdose deaths among teens 15-19 remained elevated well into 2022.” More than 85% of these drug overdose deaths involve, opioids including illicitly manufactured fentanyl’s, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine.
A decrease in drug use among American teens generally implies positive outcomes such as improvements in overall health, but in today’s world the issue remains critical due to the loss of life that comes from deadly opioids. To address drug-related death rates and improve overall teen health, community-based efforts are crucial. Looking to focus on education about the risks of substance abuse and provide accessible services that promote mental health awareness to teens is an important step that we need to take. Additionally, supporting policies that restrict access to harmful substances and investing in recreational activities can contribute to healthier alternatives for teens.