The recent alterations in marijuana policies over the decades by states which have seen through the legalization of marijuana for either medical purposes or just for fun have impacted the perception of the drug by many people(Kilmer, B. 2016). In fact, numerous individuals are now accepting the drug and do not believe that it has any major negative implications. It is unfortunate that young adolescents have fallen victims of marijuana usage over the years. Most of them claim that it is just a way of alleviating themselves from a rather boring situation or low moods. In so saying, the drug is purposely to get them high and proactive. We cannot ignore the fact that these rising rates of adolescent marijuana use have become a major concern that definitely needs to be dealt with to avoid future health complications of our children.
Introduction
‘How bad could the use of marijuana really get?’ Well, this is how. Marijuana, otherwise known as cannabis sativa is known to damage the memory of recent events as well as a person’s decision making or overall judgment of any issues they face. For this reason, the general performance of young adolescent users is bound to deteriorate. Besides, it places them in a compromised situation with regards to driving (Camarillo, 2009). We should also not forget the fact that continued marijuana use affects the general brain development of young adolescents that are still on their maturation stages of young adulthood. This results in extreme negative long term effects with regards to their general cognitive development, which hence affects their general welfare during their growth and development in later years. Addiction to the drug is the most adverse effect as it results in other negative long term health and behavioural effects on the user.
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The question of whether the consumption of marijuana is associated with healing advantages over the risks it has on a person’s wellbeing is still under debate. Today, many countries have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal resolves. Many medications containing the cannabinoid compound especially have been invented, especially for cancer patients. This notion of cannabis having medicinal properties has, however, been misused. You will find some people who have been hit by a certain illness, even a slight cough, smoking a ‘joint' claiming that it will make them feel better. Young adolescents are the most common subjects of this kind of behaviour as they tend to influence each other.
Methodology overview
The research was obtained from interviews on a number of young adolescents, alongside other secondary sources including books, journals, and surveys in relation to this particular topic, usage of marijuana in young adolescents.
Findings
It was found out that most dominant among individuals of the young adult category. A certain survey indicates that the use of cannabis among students in 8 th , 10 th and 12 th grades was relatively high during the 1990s. This rate, however, underwent a gradual decline at the beginning of the 21 st century before it eventually became constant (Hong, 2018). Research further indicates that the rates of marijuana use had decreased during the past four to five years. Recent statistics state that approximately 3% of students in the 8 th grade use marijuana while 4% of those in 10 th grade have engaged themselves in using the drug. Students in 12 th grade have the highest percentage of students using marijuana by 6%.
Interviews were carried out on students in all three groups of interest, that is, those from 8 th , 10 th , and 12 th grades. When asked why they took marijuana, most of them responded by saying that it was a way of intensifying their mood. Some said that it helped them enjoy themselves when they attended parties (Jacobs, 2010). Others said that it helped them forget their problems, thus a mechanism for actually coping with stressful situations. Other students claimed that it was a way of fitting in with others socially in order for them not to be left out.
As stated earlier, the overall discernment of the drug by teenagers has drastically changed over the years. The reason so close to home on this matter is the ongoing debates concerning marijuana legalization in many states during the last ten years. Governments have also been considering slackening off certain restrictions on marijuana for reasons including medicinal purposes and even recreation (Kilmer, B. 2016). In fact, some states have actually enforced these policies and are already taking place in numerous western countries. The number of students that use the drug has greatly increased over the recent years as a result, and this has become a huge problem.
The increase in bhang-related organizations also suggests that the use of the drug is greatly increased over the years. According to estimates by a certain medical emergency in the United States, a 21% increase with regards to the use of marijuana by over three hundred thousand individuals was recorded as from 2009. 13 % of these individuals were said to be young adolescents between the ages of 12-17 years.
Prevention strategies
Due to the fact that today many adolescents do not heed to the high risks involving the use of marijuana compared to the past years, prevention has proven to be cumbersome (Jacobs, 2010). However, we do not lose hope as all of us definitely want the best for all our children. My recently developed organization that seeks to advocate for complete abstinence from marijuana use by young adults has come up with certain strategies to make this operation a success.
Role of parents
Young adolescents are closer to their parents. In this case, parents get to be the major role players in this quest for prevention. For instance, if you are a parent, you can be of great help to your children by educating them on the harmful effects related to the use of marijuana. This is most effective when it is directed towards kids at a relatively early age (Hill, K. 2015). I say this because a young child’s memory is very sharp and they are bound to heed to the teachings taught to them at such a tender age which thereafter helps them make informed decisions as they grow up. This will definitely help them abstain from any form of drug use in later years (Hill, K. 2015). Get your children to trust you and make sure that they pay keen attention to what you are talking about. Young adults are less likely to engage themselves in the use of marijuana in cases where parents are involved, and when they are aware of the negative reaction of their parents in case they tried it.
Making this technique effective requires parents to engage their children in a lively talk. This is where a parent freely asks them about their general knowledge on the drug without compromising the freedom and honesty of the children on the subject matter (Johnson, J. K. 2018). Providing factual evidence on the risks involved with using marijuana also helps the children understand better and gain a basis with which they can relate. Asking them to list down the effects associated with marijuana usage also helps a parent depict whether they have fully grasped what they have learned in detail. Using tangible evidence, for instance, giving examples of people who have suffered immensely due to marijuana use develops a certain state of fear in them about using the drug.
Peer influence
As stated earlier, the adolescent stage of child development is characterized by peer influence. This implies that most teenagers learn about using the drug from their peers. Even those children whose principles are firmly rooted in obeying the teachings of their parents tend to alleviate from outstanding behaviour and finally end up using drugs (Johnson, J. K. 2018). The common notion that exists between teens is the fact one can only fit in the ‘popular' social class when they engage themselves in drugs or a rebellious behaviour in general. And since all teenagers would want to be associated with the most popular students in school and get invited to multiple events and parties, they have to find ways to fit in. Marijuana is the most common drug that is easily available and that is when these students get to use it.
Role of teachers
Continued use of marijuana leads to addiction. Surveys have previously indicated that many teenagers have been used to smoking or vaping marijuana to the extent of using it daily. This means that many young adolescents have become marijuana addicts. This leaves much work to their teachers and the institutions' system as a whole. Strict policies that ensure that students who are found with any kinds of drugs in school get to suffer the consequences. The guidance and counselling department should also be at the top of its game (Camarillo, 2009). Counselling programs should be instituted to help those students that have previously been exposed to the use of the drug and have been affected. These programs should not be limited to users only. Rather, the other students should also be educated on the effects of marijuana and be advised accordingly to completely abstain from it.
Conclusion
The use of marijuana in teenagers can lead to adverse long-lasting implications. It is only obvious that teenagers do not take this seriously as they do not believe that it is highly risky in any major way. That is why it is important that everyone in society is entitled to taking the responsibility of educating young adolescents about the impacts of using marijuana. Parents should educate their children about drug abuse at an early age to ensure the protection of their brain. Teachers, on the other hand, should keep a close watch on their students and offer guidance to them. Government policies should also be revised to ensure that teenagers are not completely given the freedom of engaging themselves in drug abuse.
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