The research, which has been carried out, analyzes the causes and effects of drug addiction among teenagers. It focuses on this particular age group because according to statistical data, people from thirteen to nineteen are the most susceptible to this disease. It is necessary to do the following tasks: first, we should discuss substance abuse as a form of deviant behavior because addiction, itself, is also a violation of the rules, established in the society. Secondly, we need to identify the underlying causes of this phenomenon, in particular, social, psychological, and cultural. Finally, this research must analyze its impacts on teenagers and the way it is reflected in their behavior.
Before analyzing the causes of addiction among teenagers, we have to look at this issue from sociological point of view. As it has already been mentioned before, substance abuse is an act of deviance. Then the question arises, how this notion can be defined. According to a widely held opinion, it is a form of conduct, contradicting or violating the rules, adopted in the society. However, some scholars do not agree with such definition, saying that it disregards some very important points (Bryant, 24).
For example, they argue that very often, deviance is a persons response to abnormal or (poor) conditions of living (Clinard, 32). Besides, in their opinion, violation of the rules or norms is a form of protest against some principles, which can be out-of-date. Nevertheless, in this particular case, we should also take into account psychological peculiarities of the teenagers, who are vulnerable than any other age group. In addition, we should consider substance addiction as a cultural issue and the role of educators in the struggle against drug abuse.
As regards the social factors, we can single out the following ones: poverty, competitive nature of the life and inability to accept the values and principles of the society. At first glance, it may appear that financial difficulties can hardly result in substance addiction among teenagers but statistical data may prove this statement. For instance, according to the information, published by National Center for Health Statistics approximately 57 per cent of teenagers, who take drugs, live beyond poverty level (Shulamith Lala , 158 ). Very often, their parents have to be more concerned with financial problems and their children are virtually neglected.
Apart from that, in inner cities drugs are much more available than it is in more safe districts. Naturally, it is officially declared that police makes every attempt to stop drug sale in these areas, as statistics suggest this issue remains disregarded. Some sociologists believe that there is the so-called “insular poverty”, in other words a group of people who cannot meet financial standards of the society, and it seems that the government prefers to overlook these people as if they were not a part of the community (Freilich, 91). Such neglect has many negative effects, including drug addiction among teenagers living in these districts.
While analyzing the origins of substance addiction among teenagers we must also pay attention to some traits of modern American society, namely its competitive nature. Werner Krieglstein in his book “Compassion: New Philosophy of the Other” argues people (not only teenagers) are made to believe that they must be productive, efficient, and competent in order to survive in this “natural selection” or competition, while the pleasures of life have to be sacrificed for the sake of success (Krieglstein, 167). Teenagers use drugs to protest against such philosophy. To some extent, drug abuse is a form of rebellion against such social doctrine. We can also say that drug abuse is the rejection of the values, accepted in the society, especially the importance of material wealth. Morris Freilich argues that, it is not always a deliberate act and very often teenagers do not fully realize the reasons of their behavior (Freilich, 44).
Naturally, such theory can easily be questioned because there is no numerical information, supporting it, but such view cannot be ignored because the tendency to reject the values of consumerism doctrine appeared a long time ago, but it has not been fully studied. Perhaps drug addiction among teenagers is one of its forms.
It is also necessary to discuss substance abuse as a cultural phenomenon. As Glen Hanson says teenagers, tend associate drugs with the so-called “cool behavior”. Partly, it can be explained by the negative influence of popular culture especially cinema. Many teenagers want to copy the behavior of their idols or popular icons, for example, some of Hollywood stars, or famous musicians, who often make drugs look somewhat fashionable (if such wording is appropriate in this case). Many sociologists say that mass media have not realized their influence on the young generation (Hanson, 121). Naturally, the government cannot impose any restrictions on television because such measures would contradict the basic principles of the US constitution, particularly the freedom of speech.
We should also discuss psychological traits of teenagers, first their vulnerability. Family problem often make them take drugs, especially it concerns domestic violence. Recent research that has been conducted by Christine Fewell, indicate that approximately 49 percent of young addicts were or are abused at home. For them, drugs server as a protection or shield, defending them from everyday problems.
We can also say that the role of educators has often been underestimated. For instance, many schools are trying to launch before and after schools programs in order to increase academic performance and keep teenagers away from drugs or any other form of deviant behavior. The main problem is that many parents fail to see the importance of such measures. In their view, they are just a waste of time. Unfortunately, the government seems to share their opinion. Certainly, that such policy is not officially declared but statistical information indicates that the role of educational institutions is undervalued. For instance, schools, especially in inner cities are not properly supported by local authorities, furthermore school administration and police has not learned how to work with each other.
The impacts of substance abuse can be discussed from several points of view. First, it should be borne in mind that that each kind of drugs has its own effects and it is hardly possible for us to generalize. However, we can speak out several common features. First, any addict is becoming dependant, limited because his or her actions are mostly driven by the desire to consume drug and it is reflected on several levels. As regards the financial aspects, we should first speak of the crime wave. According to the US Department of Justice, approximately 13 percent of property crimes in the country are committed by teenagers (Glen R. Hanson, 177). In the majority of cases, this crimes spring from substance addiction.
Among other problems, that American society has to overcome is poor academic performance, especially in public schools, located in inner cities. In this case, we should speak first about the negative influence of marihuana. Although this drug does not arouse any severe complications, its long use can easily result in memory impairments, which certainly do not contribute to successful studying. It seems that students are not even aware of all the consequences of addiction. They believe that it does no harm to their physical or mental health. Such organization as DARE tries to increase parents and students’ awareness but such campaign can never be successful, unless educators and mass media participate in it. Additionally, educational institutions should come up with the new policies. They usually focus on the dangers of substance abuse, which in fact turns into bullying..Every teenager is inclined to resist any form of threatening or warning (even if it is for his own good). Probably, it will be more prudent to show that there are things much better and satisfying than drugs.
The harmful influence of drug abuse can be seen in the way that drug-addict behave. They are inclined to violence, especially if we are speaking about hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin, LSD etc. Five percent of all violent crimes in the country are committed by teenagers addicted to substance (Hanson, 255). Another aspect of this issue is the estrangement between parents and their children. Perhaps, it is a far-fetched conclusion but drugs threaten the unity and connectedness of the family. They also affect a persons self-esteem, especially if we are speaking about people ranging from 17 to 19. When a teenager realizes that, the dependence makes him or her weak and fragile, such person is very likely to suffer from inferiority complex. The inability to conquer this disease strikes a heavy blow on self-esteem. In the long term, it can lead to depression or even suicide.
To conclude, drug addiction can be explained by such factors as the impact of mass media, psychological peculiarities of this age group, namely, longing for new experiences, tendency to emulate the behavior of other people (peers). In addition to that, it is quite possible for us to say that educational institutions do not take an active part in the struggle against drug addiction mostly due to the insufficient support of the government. As for the impacts, we can mark out such low academic performance, crime, hooliganism, or any other form of deviational behavior. Secondly, we should not overlook family problems, which arise out of addiction, especially the estrangement between parents and children. Overall, the situation that has recently emerged reminds a vicious circle or deadlock almost impossible to break. Nevertheless, this problem is solvable because if the government and community understand the whole danger of drug addiction.
Bibliography
Clifton D. Bryant. “Deviant Behavior: Readings in the Sociology of Norm Violations”. Taylor & Francis, 1989.
Glen R. Hanson, Peter J. Venturelli, Annette E. Fleckenstein. “Drugs and Society” Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2005.
Marshall Barron Clinard. “Sociology of Deviant Behavior” Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1968.
Robert T. Ammerman, Peggy J. Ott, Ralph E. Tarter. “Robert T. Ammerman, Peggy J. Ott, Ralph E. Tarter”. Routledge, 1999.
Shulamith Lala Ashenberg Straussner, Christine Huff Fewell. “Impact of Substance Abuse on Children and Families: Research and Practice Implications”. Haworth Press, 2006.
Steven R. Belenko. “Drugs and Drug Policy in America: A Documentary History”. Greenwood Press, 2000.
Morris Freilich. Deviance: Anthropological Perspectives. Bergin & Garvey, 1994.
Werner J. Krieglstein. “Compassion: A New Philosophy of the Other” Rodopi, 2002.