The increase consumption of alcohol and drugs by adolescences is not just a problem for the United States it is a multicultural national problem. Separating by race, Native American teens had the highest level of drug use, with nearly 48 percent reporting having used substances in the last year. That group is followed by 39 percent of white teens, almost 37 percent of Hispanics, 36 percent of multi-racial adolescents, 32 percent of blacks and nearly 24 percent of Asians. "There is certainly still a myth out there that black kids are more likely to have problems with drugs than white kids, and this documents as clearly as any study we're aware of that the rate of substance-related disorders among African American youths is significantly lower," ( Dan Blazer from Duke's Department of Psychiatry, a senior author of the study, told the Raleigh News & Observer). Adolescents reported using marijuana more than any other drug, with 13 percent of those surveyed reporting marijuana use in the last year, followed by 7 percent reported having used prescription pain killers (Teen Drug and Alcohol use Lowest Among Blacks, Asians). A lack of cultural competence is identified as a major gap, as insensitivity to cultural differences can limit the ability to treat and retain minority adolescents, the researchers write in their report. Put together, these findings call for efforts to identify and expand prevention, assessment and treatment measures that are culturally effective and address the quality and acceptability of treatment for adolescents with substance use problems. A separate report released in June supported previous research that early substance use affects the likelihood of abuse in adulthood. The study... ... middle of paper ... ... consideration, such as her age, family life style, religious belief, social economic and cultural differences, in conducting our assessment. The reasoning for a young girl to feel the need to use substances as an answer for life is a difficult challenge. Going forward with help start with the adolescent, she must have the desire to walk away from the atmosphere of drugs. Putting the necessary steps into action also begins with the family, their cooperation and willingness to walk the extra mile is another key to the recovery process. The adolescent and her family working with the social are instrumental in the social worker using all of the resources available to start them on the path to recovery. Works Cited Meyers, R. J. & Smith, J. E. (1995). Clinical guide to alcohol treatment: The community reinforcement approach. New York: The Guilford Press.
Spotlighting on drug abuse by specific ethnic group was a good start to research, as it shed some light on the actual drug problems by minority group. The study showed that African American teenagers have a lower rate of drug use compared to Whites, however they suffer from more drug-related health problems than any other ethnic group. It was also suggested that drug use is believed to cause criminal behavior in African American communities. Asians and Pacific Islanders may be less likely to pursue treatment services because they are not culturally appropriate. Higher rates of alcohol abuse are more likely in their native countries than in the United States because treatment options are more actively utilized. Hispanics drug use is one of the highest amongst US population, due in part...
The use of alcohol by adolescents is widely viewed as disobedience in American society. Although, alcohol use is technically illegal until the age of twenty-one (in 19 states the consumption of alcohol in not specifically illegal for people under the age of twenty-one), there is still an excessive use of dinking in teenagers today. Since alcohol is associated with all three leading causes of death among teens, it can also have less life-altering consequences such as a drop in academic performances and a decline of friend and family relationships. Also, mental disorders like anxiety, depression and behavioral issues as in loss of temper, an argumentative personality, being easily angered, and blaming others for mistakes. Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in teenagers and society contributes to abuse by linking drinking to sophistication and good times. (“Alcohol Abuse and Youth” 1)
Substance Use is Widespread among Native American, White and Mixed-Race Youth. (November 8, 2011) JAMA Viewed on April 18, 2014 http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1107330
U.S. National Library of Medicine (2011, November 7) More Than A Third Of Teens Turning To Alcohol, Drugs: Study. Healthday: U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 2 Feb 2015.
Arias, M.D., A. J., & Kranzler, M.D, H. R. (n.d). Treatment of co-occurring alcohol and other drug Use disorders. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh312/155-167.htm
Rodriguez, C. Y. (n.d.). Hispanic teens more likely to use drugs, study says. In CNN Health. Retrieved September 3, 2013, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/31/health/hispanic-teen-drug-use
While reading the short story “Clean” by Amy Reed I came to a better understanding on substance abuse, and what causes it to start. In her novel Reed portrays ordinary teenagers, then demonstrates how drugs and/or alcohol becomes such a factor in an average teenager’s life. In the beginning of the s...
There are many factors that play into adolescent substance use in Hispanics, some of which are related, while others are not. For example, in comparison to young adults in Mexico, Mexico-origin adolescents in the United States are at a higher risk of early substance and illicit drug use. Also, U.S. born adolescents with immigrant parents are more at risk compared to foreign-born ones. Because of this, acculturation to the U.S. culture is associated with the stronger likelihood of risky health behaviors. Another reason is that adolescent substance use is more common in the U.S. culture, and because of this, acculturated Hispanics tend to forget about the risks associated with substance use, which leads to them being less able to resist peer pressure.
About one out of five 10th graders and about 1 out of four high school seniors used marijuana in the past month (Facts for Teens, 1). It is the second most popular drug among teens in the US (Encarta, 1). Teens, ages 12-17, that use marijuana weekly are nine times more likely than non-users to experience with illegal drugs and alcohol (Fed. Study, 1). More 13 & 14 year olds are using drugs, fifteen pe...
Drugs and alcohol have been used for medical and recreational purposes throughout history. With advancement of technology it has become easier and easier to access these substances. It is not only illegal drugs but prescription drugs that are being misused and wreaking havoc across the world. Even with billions of dollars being paid out to stop the war on drugs, the problem persists. People from all walks of life have been affected by drugs or are becoming drug addicts themselves. One particular group afflicted by the misuse of these substances is the children of drug addicted parents. According to Cattapan and Grimwade, “Drug use seen in one generation affects the lives of the next”. Children with one or both parents on drugs face huge disadvantages. They suffer from physical abuse, and emotional trauma with lifelong effects and their family unit is torn apart. Social institutions are being overloaded with the need to help or relocate these children.
Most people do not understand how a person become addicted to drugs. We tend to assume that is more an individual problem rather than a social problem. However, teen substance abuse is indeed a social problem considered a priority for the USA department of public health due to 9 out of 10 Americans with addictions started using drugs before the age 18 (CASA Columbia University). Similarly, 1 in 4 Americans with addictions started using the substance during their teenage years, which show a significant different with 1 in 25 Americans with addiction who started using at 21 or older (CASA, 2011).
It is a common belief among today’s youth that marijuana is a low risk drug and that using it is harmless to their health (4). This widespread misconception is a large factor in why marijuana use is so regularly accepted by today’s youth. The percentage of young people using marijuana in Canada is one of the highest in the world, with Ontario sitting among the leaders in that percentage (CAMH). According to a survey done by the Canadian Public Health Association, “Marijuana use represents 90% of the illegal drug use among students” (CPHA), 2012 CP). With so many Canadian youth blindly abusing a substance with no real understan...
Wechsler, H., Nelson T., & Weitzman, E. (February 2000). From Knowledge to Action. Change [On-line], Available: www2.gasou.edu/library/ (Galileo)(EBSCOhost)(Search=Alcohol Abuse).
...olescences to abuse drugs depending on the influencing stimuli. We must educate the adolescences on respectable behavior and consequences to drug seeking behaviors and addiction.
It has been discovered that most people who struggle with drug addiction began experimenting with drugs in their teens. Teenage drug abuse is one of the largest problems in society today and the problem grows and larger every year. Drugs are a pervasive force in our culture today. To expect kids not to be influenced by the culture of their time is as unrealistic as believing in the tooth fairy (Bauman 140). Teens may feel pressured by their friends to try drugs, they may have easy access to drugs, they may use drugs to rebel against their family or society, or they may take an illegal drug because they are curious about it or the pleasure that it gives them.