Why do you think so many teens are using drugs?

Question

Why isn't parental pressure more effective than peer pressure?

I have a friend who just turned 18. He is on heroin; a very addictive and lethal drug, by far the most dangerous in my opinion. He started experiementing with drugs at the age of 14, starting with marijuana on to different sorts of drugs like mushrooms, acid,meth, cocaine and so on up to heroin. He got addicted to heroin at 16. He is 6'2" and weighed at 90lbs.. on his near death scale. He started being home schooled because he couldn't go to school anymore. He recieved some treatment and put some weight on, now weighing at 134 lbs. Anyway, the point of my story is that it is incredibly sad t see so many young faces disappear before getting a taste of an independent life. My friend, for example, is on his way to a young death. He still uses heroin. No one can stop him. He is addicted and craves it.

What can we do to stop this madness? Why are so many teens choosing this route in life? Where are the parents?

A message to Hippie.Wisdom- honey, when people try pot they get bored with it and want to try something else and than something else and so on..that's what happens. That's how you end up as a drug addict.

Answer 1

There are many factors already mentioned by others, but ultimately it boils down to ESCAPISM. They feel a need to escape the things that are troubling them in their everyday lives and so turn to drugs as a quick and easy solution (seeing that they are so readily available).

Answer 2

Look, I'm almost 16 now, and I don't do drugs. However I have nothing against people who want to use them and the affects of the drugs. Some illegal drugs are incredibly safe, and have no adverse affects, because I know people who have taken them. The safest drugs are marijuana, and psychedelics such as LSD or mushrooms. I have done alot of research into the affects of these, and have come to that conclusion. I believe that the reason that many teenagers experiment with drugs is because of the fact that they are a great source of fun, they have a pleasant affect, they enhance your creativity, and in the case of the psychedelics, you can experience things mentally, and reach new levels of consciousness, that you could never have done without the drug. However in the case of your friend, the reason why he is in such a bad situation, is because he experimented with the wrong drugs. His use of some of the hard stuff like heroin, and cocaine, and meth, which have proven addiction and harmful side-effects, is making him sick. In his case, he is one of those people that just cant do anything, because he'd abuse it. The key word is moderation. Oh, and by the way, not everybody who smokes a little pot now and then or who occasionally uses drugs will turn into a drug-crazed maniac. The government has been throwing out propaganda since the 1950s, when in reality, pot is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco. The majority of people can get along fine, and have a little fun on the side. You'd be surprised at how many people do that. My point is that its fine for some people to use drugs, and function, but some just don't know where to draw the line...

Answer 3

Where are the parents is a good question. Thats probably where it starts. Being rejected, abused, ignored, underappriciated, ect. Then comes in the friends and peer pressure. It is sad when someone can find no other means of ventilation, other than drugs. I have not had any friends that seriously do drugs, but what i can tell you is to illiminate the source. Then hopefully, with time and love the problem can be stopped.

Answer 4

the parents r not trying hard enough (they should've been paying more attentions than worrying about work or something else) and during adolescence teens tend to start pushing their parents away without knowing it because of their varying moods
it can be also be the fact that the teen is in depression because something bad happened in his/her life or the enviornment he lives under (does any1 around him do drugs) and in adolescence being or trying to be accepted is almost like an obsession

if u want to help ur friend then talk to a doctor or a school counselor (unless u go to a sucky school) or simply some1 u trust and has experience

Answer 5

What can we do to stop this madness? - Nothing. Teens will be teens and drugs are just this generation's way of rebelling
Why are so many teens choosing this route in life?- the sensations, depression, peer pressure
Where are the parents?- Off somewhere being oblivious or, in some cases, getting high with the kids.
Welcome to our wonderful world.

Answer 6

Why teens use drugs is a complicated question. I am sure there are many reasons why!! I think a bad home life definately contributes to drug use. Whether it be abuse or neglect. Also, teens who's parents have been addicted to drugs have a higher percentage of becoming addicted themselves.

And, quite frankly; MANY DOCTORS make drugs readily available!!! I won't be saying which doctors........ no benefit: but I've ran into several!!

Then, of course; there is peer pressure.

I tend to believe that it is a combo of things!!!!

Answer 7

I think it's because of peer pressure and because people tell them not to do it. Also, plenty of teenagers are uneducated about drugs, so they don't think it will hurt them. Teen angst may also be a factor because drugs are "supposed" to make people feel better. Plus, a lot of drugs make people addicted and so they "need" it.
Often, parents do not know that their children are doing drugs or they do drugs themselves. The only thing everyone else can do is talk to them and try to help them, but not make them feel inferior.
Remember, not all teens do drugs. I don't. It just depends on the teen and his/her situation.

Answer 8

They need more fun places to hang out with some kind of supervision.

A lot are just hanging out in the streets without any one to coach them. We let the my son's teen friends hang around, we give them some privacy (like pretending we don't' hear profanity some times as long as it's not going overboard) but give positive coaching when we over hear trouble or bad ideas mentioned.

When they've talked about a kid on drugs. I remind them that he doesn't ride his skateboard any good any more. And things like how to recognize when someone is heading towards trouble with police for who knows how many years. (If they think schools a bummer sometimes, imagine how it would be with about a probation officer on you ***) things can get worse and "hitting bottom"

Once I overheard a kid talking about a stolen iPod with the help of positive intervention it was returned to its rightful owner, and and we all felt better about it . Plus I remind them I don't want to have to talk to anyones parents.
It was kind of tricky to not make my son not look like the goody to shoos and put my foot down at the same time, but it's possible

Answer 9

to stop the "madness" we would have to clean the whole world!! im a teen and i dont do drugs and i know some people but not that many that do drugs. some parents do drugs so some "teens" may fall into what their parents are doin. So that incourages others that are friends with those "teens" to follow them. Then alot of the drug doin is spreaded to ones that are not smart enough to say no.
:)

Answer 10

I think it's mostly because of peer pressure.
Teens who don't use it see people using it and think it looks cool, but really, its not. It has many effects on our lives and those around us and most do it just to get away from the world.
Short-term its fun and you get to mellow out, but long-term, it has many many consequenses.. Just the same as teens having sex before marrige, again, sure its fun short-term, but long-term it can lead to preganetcy, STD's, ect...
One say just one time and your hooked, I've never done any of this and never will but I know a lot about it from a life skills class earlier back.
But i think its mainly cause of peer pressure.