Marijuana (Cannabis)
Marijuana is undoubtedly the most popular drug among teens. Marijuana itself is one of the most harmless drugs from a health standpoint. Roughly eight and a half million teens (age 12-20) have smoked marijuana at least once in their lifetime, and roughly 40% of them are regular users (at least once a month). [Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse]
The real danger of marijuana is the path it has the potential to lead down. Cannibis has been coined the name "Gateway Drug" because it can lead users to try/use more powerful drugs such as Cocaine, Heroin, Crystal Meth, and many other dangerous drugs.
Teens can be affected by marijuana in a few different ways:
The real danger of marijuana is the path it has the potential to lead down. Cannibis has been coined the name "Gateway Drug" because it can lead users to try/use more powerful drugs such as Cocaine, Heroin, Crystal Meth, and many other dangerous drugs.
Teens can be affected by marijuana in a few different ways:
- Weight gain
- Cancerous smoke can have long term effects
- Minor depression
- Gateway to more dangerous drugs
- Increased heart rate
Alcohol
Alcohol is the second most abused drug among minors, and nationwide it is the most used of all narcotics. Alcohol is also a "Gateway Drug", but it is not as much of one as Marijuana. No, Alcohol has much more serious effects that affect teens much more seriously.
Some of the debilitating effects Alcohol offers are:
Some of the debilitating effects Alcohol offers are:
- Organ failure
- Physical dependance
- Slower brain function
- Stress
- Broken relationships
Prescription Drugs (Rx)
Prescription drugs are the simplest drugs for minor's to get their hands on. The types of narcotics they can get range from amphetamines to painkillers. The spectrum that is covered under this niche is gigantic, and each drug has more negative effects than positive.
A few of the many harms these may cause are:
A few of the many harms these may cause are:
- Overdosing
- Addiction
- Physical Dependence
- Organ Failure
- Brain Malfunction
Cocaine
Cocaine is a top-grade stimulant that speeds the brain's functions by 4-7 times, and it causes a very easy physical dependence Teens have a harder time acquiring cocaine, but there are an innumerable amount of gateways just under societies cloak.
Some of cocaine's effects are:
Some of cocaine's effects are:
- Addiction
- Physical Dependance
- Brain Decay
- Nasal Discharge
Ecstasy (MDMA)
Ecstasy is a highly unstable narcotic that, when ingested, causes the dopamine levels in the brain to multiply to dangerous amounts. When on ecstasy the user will feel invincible and extremely happy, hence the name 'Ecstasy'.
However, after the false fun fades away, the dopamine levels in the brain to drop under the average amount, which can lead to serious depression and other mental disorders. Ecstasy is the drug known most to be used by the younger generation, and it is a leading cause in the deaths of thousands of teens. Minor's don't deserve death because of a pill that was manufactured badly, and innumerable parent's are burdened by the thought of their children dying because of raves and other hard parties where this drug is constantly present at.
More of the negatives are:
However, after the false fun fades away, the dopamine levels in the brain to drop under the average amount, which can lead to serious depression and other mental disorders. Ecstasy is the drug known most to be used by the younger generation, and it is a leading cause in the deaths of thousands of teens. Minor's don't deserve death because of a pill that was manufactured badly, and innumerable parent's are burdened by the thought of their children dying because of raves and other hard parties where this drug is constantly present at.
More of the negatives are:
- Unreliable manufacture
- Depression
- Suicide
- Dehydration/ Starvation
- Kidney failure
Heroin
Heroin is one of the world's most dangerous man-made drugs. It is almost immediately addictive, and overdosing is extremely easy. The method's of ingestion include smoking and injection. These injections can cause the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV, and AIDS.
More of the negatives:
More of the negatives:
- Aging
- Organ failure
- Major brain malfunction
- Paranoia
- Mental Disabilities/ Insanity
Crystal Meth
Crystal meth is extremely dangerous. Teenagers almost never lay their hands on it, but some still do. Addiction is on par with heroin, and it's overdose and death rates far exceed most illicit drugs out there. Meth is completely man-made and can be cheaply made. These 'cheap' batches can kill users in small doses as small as 1 gram. It's the most dangerous drug among the rest, and it's absolutely ridiculous that people still abuse it.
More of meth's dangers:
More of meth's dangers:
- Aging
- Addiction
- Overdosing
- Bodily Harm
- Major Mental Disabilities
- Blindness
- Organ Failure