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1 Shah Hemil Mehul Shah Professor Sabrina Madison English 101 – 12880 12 May 2019 Call for Action – Preventing Teen Drug Use Stress has become an integrated part of everyone's life. Everyone is affected by stress at some point in their life, be it a student, office worker or a CEO. It is important to deal with stress quickly and effectively, otherwise, it might lead to some bad decisions which can quickly lead to life taking a different path than expected. Dealing with stress and pressure is not something that everyone knows how to do. In recent times, adults and teenagers alike have taken to the illegal use of drugs to deal with stress and pressure. It is the duty of the government, institutions like schools and colleges, and parents to ensure that teenagers and adolescents do not involve themselves in activities like illegal use of drugs. According to Barry McCaffrey, the director of the Office of National Drug Policy during President Bill Clinton's administration, "the dangers of illegal drug use pose the greatest risk facing the generation of youth coming of age in the next millennium" (p. 1). The teenage phase is one of the most versatile phases of life because there are so many changes happening in the body. Many teenagers who do not understand these changes experience immense pressure and stress. To deal with it, according to McCaffrey, "one out of every four high school seniors has used an illegal drug at least once” (p. 1). Ad’s promoting smoking and alcohol should be censored or stopped because, “millions of teenagers smoke and drink regularly, both of which are risk factors for drug use” (p. 1, McCaffrey). Alcohol and drug use can prove to be fatal to the performance of students in school because, according to One Choice,

2 Shah "An abundance of research shows there is a bidirectional relationship between youth substance use and decline in academic performance and school attendance" (par. 1). Teenagers often turn to drugs because of refusal to acknowledge their loneliness if both their parents are working. Often, it has been noticed that children who turned to drugs, merely wanted the attention of their parents, be it in the form of anger and sorrow. Therefore, to avoid drug use among teens, "Adult – and in particular parental- involvement is critical to reducing youth drug use" (McCaffery, p. 2). However, due to several reasons which include but are not limited to financial reasons, both parents may have to work to provide food and shelter for themselves and their children. Thus, "with more parents working, the role of the extended family, coaches, law enforcement officers, clergy, health professionals, and other youth mentors becomes even more critical" (McCaffery, p. 2). The government and school should, therefore, train their employees and arm them with different techniques in how to deal with drug addicts. If drug use is prevented in childhood, there is a high chance that there will be reduced to minimal illegal drug use in later stages of life. In the book The Other Wes Moore - One Name: Two Fates, we see various changes in the Bronx, where Wes's grandparents lived. Wes Moore says, "Just as the street corners of the Bronx had changed, so had the public schools. Things were falling apart, and the halls of school were no exception or refuge from the chaos outside" (p. 41). The influence of drugs and drug dealers had reached not only the Bronx but also the public school. The influence of drugs on school children was catastrophic as shown in the book. The school could have helped minimize the harmful effects of drugs by holding special classes explaining the harmful effects of drugs and enforcing strict regulations regarding the possession of drugs in and near the school premises. Furthermore, the government could have taken stricter care in ensuring that drugs do not hit the

3 Shah streets, by arresting drug dealers and holding community sessions explaining the harmful effects of drugs and requesting the public to stay away from drugs. The most effective way of reducing drug usage is to teach teenagers and high school students about the harmful effects of drugs and helping those already addicted to drugs with rehab sessions. Studies from a junior high program for preventing adolescent drug use suggests that, "Delaying or reducing drug use during early adolescence clearly yields immediate benefits – reduced risk of accidents, of unsafe sexual activity, of early dependency, and of other health – threatening behaviors" (Ellickson et al. p. 860). Illegal drug use can lead to declines in life quality. All factors considered, the task of reducing teenage drug consumption is not easy, but neither is it impossible. Teachers, mentors, coaches, and public figures are all important shapers of a teen's life and hence it is highly essential that they instill good qualities and practices in children that they lead. While it is the duty of the government, parents, and teachers to ensure that teens do not fall under the influence of illegal drug use, the responsibility also lies on the shoulder of teens. It is of paramount importance that teenagers themselves understand the harmful effects of drugs and ensure that they avoid drugs to secure a better and brighter future for themselves.

4 Shah Works Cited "The Academic Impact of Youth Substance Use." Impact of Youth Drug Use, One Choice, www.preventteendruguse.org/academic-impact. Accessed 2 May 2019. Ellickson, Phyllis L., et al. "Preventing Adolescent Drug Use: Long-Term Results of a Junior High Program." American Journal of Public Health, vol. 83, no. 6, June 1993, pp. 85661. EBSCOhost, eds-a-ebscohost-com.butlerlib.butlercc.edu/ehost/results? vid=1&sid=e95b22fa-ad03-4bc0-a56c-a1c901c6389d%40sdc-v-sessmgr05&bquery= %E2%80%9CPreventing+Adolescent+Drug+Use%3a+LongTerm+Results+of+a+Junior+%09High+Program. %E2%80%9D&bdata=JmRiPWFwaCZjbGkwPUZUJmNsdjA9WSZ0eXBlPTAmc2Vhc mNoTW9kZT1BbmQmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl. Accessed 2 May 2019. Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. Spiegel & Grau, 2010. Prevent Teen Drug Use. Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. (IBH), www.preventteendruguse.org/academic-impact. Accessed 5 May 2019....