Drugs:Obstacles to Our Education

Drugs are increasing affecting students’ lives. Drugs have no place anywhere in society, and they are especially damaging in academic environments during teens’ formative years. The teen drug and alcohol user’s academic performance is severely impaired, along with his or her level of responsibility. For example, they skip class, fail to complete assignments and lose interest in school. 

Drug and alcohol use is rampant throughout American middle and high schools. Drug use is associated with a variety of negative consequences, including increased risk of serious drug use later in life and school failure. Some say that drugs are not part of a teenager’s life but in reality, teenage drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions on some high school facilities. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry say the average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use starts before 12. Some might argue alcohol abuse is not a big deal but statistics show a different thing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse 71% of 12^th grade students in 2010 have used alcohol. This is more than half of all the 12^th graders in 2010 which shows how alcohol is one of the most abused drugs.

Teens use alcohol and other drugs for many reasons, including curiosity, because it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up or to fit in. There are many times when a teen’s drug addiction causes him or her to either do poorly in school or even to drop out. An interview with an anonymous 17 year old tells us what he did to get into drugs and how he is doing in school. 

When asked what reasons he had for doing drugs the interviewee answered. “…to have fun and relieve myself from problems.” This is why most teens begin to do drugs and even abuse of them. He explained that he smoked marijuana because “…my friends were teasing me…”

Many say peer pressure is the main reason many do drugs but the truth is we all have the choice to say no but many choose to actually do the drug. Whether it is to fit in or keep the acquaintances, peer pressure does have to do with the teen’s decision to do the drug. The interviewee continued now to the subject of education.

School is something of great importance in order to be successful. When the interviewee was asked whether or not he was still in school, he laughed and answered “I wanted to drop out…but I was sent to options.” Options refers to an alternate school program. As we see in this interview drugs do affect the teenager’s education and can make a big difference in their success. In order for us to lead our teenagers to success we have to provide them with drug-free environments.

Parents can help through early education about drugs, open communication, good role modeling, and early child recognition if problems are developing says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Warning signs of teenage alcohol and drug abuse may include: physical fatigue, emotional, family, and social problems. An effective way for parents to show care and concern is to openly discuss the possible abuse of alcohol and other drugs with their teenager. Consulting a physician is the best way to find out if the teen is using drugs in order to help the teen get back on track. 

Cindy Lopez