Drug abuse is costly to our society as a whole but is especially harmful to our youth. Youth's immature physical and psychological development makes them more susceptible than adults to the harmful effects of drug abuse. Behavior patterns that result from teen and preteen drug use often produce tragic consequences. Selfdegradation, loss of control, disruptive conduct, and antisocial attitudes can cause untold harm to juveniles and their families. In the 7 years that the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University has published the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse, results have indicated that teens and their parents view drugs as their biggest concern.

Teen Drug Use Effects :

Amphetamines/methamphetamine: Irritability, insomnia, convulsions, tremors, anxiety, paranoia, aggression, violent behavior, stroke, psychosis resembling schizophrenia, cardiovascular collapse, and death.

Inhalants: Memory loss, learning problems, increased heart rate, distorted perception of reality and spatial relations, lethargy, nausea/vomiting, slurred speech, loss of motor coordination, wheezing, organ and muscle damage, sudden sniffing death syndrome which can cause heart failure, and withdrawal symptoms which can include grand mal seizures.

Marijuana: Impaired memory, anxiety, panic attacks, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, daily coughs and phlegm, more frequent chest colds, and abnormal functioning of lung tissue injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke.

MDMA (ecstasy): Depression, anxiety, paranoia, muscle tension, teeth clenching, tremors, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dehydration, hyperthermia, brain damage, and death.

See Also : Underage Drinking - Teen Alcohol Use - Data on teen drinking. See Also : Drug Rehab

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