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Drugs: Substance Abuse Among Young Adolescents
Jennifer Gerardi MLE 4760 Dr. Pearson Eastern Illinois University

==I would like for you to take a moment to think about a loved one who has abused drugs at some point in his or her life, or maybe a friend who has a loved one who is a drug abuser. Now think about how that has impacted the people around him or her. What emotions did the drug abuser cause on him or her and those around them?==

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This video briefly describes drug use among young adolescents and the effects that may linger into adulthood.

__Peer Pressure__
In the article called //"But Others Do It!": Do Misperceptions of Schoolmate Alcohol and Marijuana Use Predict Subsequent Drug Use Among Young Adolescents?"// the pressures among seventh and eighth grade students are observed by how many students surveyed were offer drugs by their peers. The study was a longitudinal study in which twenty schools in South Dakota participated. The students were self-administered a survey and eighteen months later were self-administered another survey. The first survey was in the fall of seventh grade and the second was in the spring of eighth grade.

According to this article, the prevalence of alcohol use in seventh grade was 14.8% and rose to 33.7% in eighth grade. Past-month marijuana use among seventh graders was 6.9% and rose to 13% in eighth grade. The sruvey also asked students if their peers offered them drugs and if they used drugs when a peer offered them. The survey also asked the students how often they were around people their age who drank alcohol or used marijuana. The study had the seventh and eighth grade students estimate how many of their peers abuse substances and in the survey it asked the students if they did or not. The amount of students who actually abused drugs was much greater than what the students predicted.

A students changes of self-worth and self- derogation stemming from failure in a particular social group may lead to cannabis use and negative behavior according to an article called //Drug Use and Personality in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Structured models with Nonnormal Variables.// Conformity in drug use may lead to acceptance in the deviant peer group and will leave the particular individual with a feeling of acceptance among peers. This specific study collected data at three difference time points in from middle level to young adulthood. Through various models, students’ use of cannabis is measured along with the feeling of self-worth. There appeared to be a correlation between cannabis use and self-worth among the individuals studied.

References: Bentler, P. (1987). Drug use and personality in adolescence and young adulthood: structured models with nonnormal variables. //Child Development, 58//(1) p. 65. doi: 10.1111/1467-8624.ep7264143

Juvonen,J., Martino,C., Ellickson, P., Longshore, D. (2007). "But others do it!":do misperceptions of schoolmate alcohol and marijuana use predict subsequent drug use among young adolescents. //Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 37//(4), 740-758. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00183.x

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Summary: Peer-pressure greatly influences a young adolescent's choice to use drugs. Many students want to fit in, are depressed, a victim of divorce, or other issues that our young adolescents face today. Adolescents may seek to become part of a group whether it is the athletes, the honor students,or the rejects.It is important to guide students, an example of guidance would be an advisory program, to pick healthy lifestyle choices and to discuss their emotions in a health and calm manner. Through peer- mediation or weekly group talks, students will be able to discuss struggles they are currently facing.=====

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According to //BMC Public Health// examined how cultural factors influence psychosocial factors for heroin drug use. This article "Does Chinese culture influence psychosical factors for heroin use among young adolescents in China? A cross-sectional study" states that culture has been considered an ecological-level variable that may influence mental processes, human behaviors, and health. A cross-sectional study was conducted among young adolescents in an HIV and heroin stricken area in China. The Individualism Collectivism Interpersonal Assessment Inventory was used to measure cultural norms and values in three social groups: family members, close friends, and classmates. 220 boys participated and 241 girls participated in the study and of 461 participants, boys showed higher behavioral control for heroin use, peer control, and communication with parents about heroin use, but lower favorable attitude toward heroin. This study documented that aspects of Chinese culture may influence psychosocial factors for heroin use, although the patterns are varied by gender.=====

Researchers from the //Institute of Child Care Research// have begun examining the link between illicit drug use and young people being excluded from school. In this article called, “School exclusion and adolescent drug use in Northern Ireland: A problem being addressed,” discussed legislation that is designed to prevent drug use among young adolescents. Many of these children are in need according to Children(NI) Order which is outlined in Article 17 of legislation. This specific legislation would also assist with drug prevention programs and interventions. This approach would help identify ‘at risk’ young adolescents, particularly school excludees, through more effective targeting of prevention activities. This is suggested by the Government’s 10- year strategy for Tackling Drug Misuse.

References: Duncan, L, McCrystal, P. (2002). School exclusion and adolescent drug use in northern Ireland: a problem being addressed. //Institute of Child Care Research, 8//(3), p 176-186.

Liu, H. (2010). Does Chinese culture influence psychsocial factors for heroin use among young adolescents in China? A cross-sectional study. //BMC Public Health, 10// p.563-570. Doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-563.

Summary: Culture and family greatly influence an adolescent's choice to use drugs. Parent's model actions for children and if a student is watching his or her parent use drugs or drink heavily every night, that student may model their parents. When you walk into a bar, there are the regular people there who drink every day and view this a social lifestyle choice. When an individual choses to stop drinking, the family must also help the individual quit drinking. A teacher should discuss healthy lifestyle patterns and be aware of the home situations.

__Conclusion:__
====Drugs impact people in various ways for different reasons. These are just a few reasons that young adolescents may seek drugs. Effective prevention and intervention are important in educating young adolescents to not give in to peer-pressure or seek drugs because everyone around them is doing it, including many parents. Awareness among teachers is key in prevent young adolescents to become life-long drug users. When a teacher knows that the student may be using drugs, the teacher should report it and try to help the student receive the proper intervention. Although in young adolescence drug use may be less harmful, it may be the gateway into a more destructive life path.====