Different types of drugs and the risk factors which cause drug abuse among youths

Chu, Y. (2015). Do Medical Marijuana Laws Increase Hard-Drug Use?  The Journal of Law & Economics, 58 (2), 481-517. Doi: 10.1086/684043 

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for your unconditional support to this initiative of mitigating drugs and substances abuse among youths. The main aim of Save a Youth movement is to curb the exacerbating curve of drug abuse among youths. Over the years, there have been a tremendous increase of drug abuse among young people. I will start by introducing what are drugs and drug abuse. Drugs is any substance that when introduced in the body, it causes physical and psychological effects. Drug and substance abuse is taking drugs for the wrong purpose other than what it is meant for (Chu, 2015). To have better understanding of the rise of drug abuse among youths, I am going to address different types of drugs and the risk factors which cause drug abuse among youths. 

According to the article, drugs can be classified as depressants, hallucinogens, stimulants, opioids, inhalants and cannabis.  Research has shown that Tabaco commonly known as nicotine is the most abused drugs with over 40 million people using it worldwide (Chu, 2015). Notably, tobacco are easily accessible and are cheaper compared to other drugs such as heroin. Alcohol, is the second most used drug with over 18 million users (Chu, 2015). According to the research by National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA Marijuana commonly known as Cannabis Satisfaction is the most addictive drug. 

Morales, A.M &Jones, S.A., Kliamovich, D.  et al (2020).  Identifying Early Risk Factors for Addiction Later in Life: a Review of Prospective Longitudinal Studies.  Curr Addict Vol 7 (2),  89–98 doi.org/10.1007/s40429-019-00282-y 

The above article point out several risk factors that leads to drug abuse among youths. One of the notable risk factor is perfect pressure.  Peer pressure has to be the highest risk factor to drug abuse whereby young people influence each other into bad behaviors (Morales &Jones, 2020). Additionally, lack of family involvement in the young people live is another risk factor of drug abuse. It have come to my attention that parent abandon their children when they become young adults.   Parents neglect depart the duties of taking care of children to house helps and teachers hence they fail to notice any unpleasing behaviors by their young ones. Family history is another vital risk factor that can lead to drug abuse. It is imperative to underscore that if a family has a history of alcohol addiction, chances are high that the children will be alcoholic. 

My fellow youths, I would like to say that drug abuse has several effects. Drug abuse is detrimental not only to the victims but to the society at large. One of the notable effect of drug abuse is death (Morales &Jones, 2020). Excess consultation of drugs such as alcohol damages the liver which may results to death. Also, drug abuse affects the mental health of an individual. Notably, people who engage in drug abuse are prone to psychological dysfunctions such as depression and withdrawal. As a young person, psychological dysfunctions affects cuts across all aspects of life. Depression affects one's academic performance and general activities, relationship between peers and family. Notably, mental illness causes family dysfunctions and can results to seriously family problems. 

Scheier, L. (Ed.). (2015).  Handbook of Adolescent Drug Use Prevention: Research, Intervention Strategies, and Practice . Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.2307/j.ctv1chs715 

  In the article above, there are several ways to curb the rising use of drug abuse. One of the ways to mitigate the use of drug abuse is leading by example (Scheier, 2015). Parents, teachers, guardians and the society at large ought to set a good percent among the youths. To change the drug abuse narrative in the society, people have to play the role of leading by example, in so doing, the youths will have a role model to look up to. Secondly, the government should establish rules that outline the consequences and effects of abusing drugs. That way, young people will be afraid of the direct consequences of breaking the set rules.