Understanding and Preventing
Adolescent Drug Use
Page Three
LSD or acid still ranks high on the list of teenage drug use. It is unpredictable in its results and, because it is a street drug, its quality varies. As an hallucinogenic drug, LSD can produce frightening images and lead to false presumptions, such as the belief that one can fly—a symptom which has caused more than one teenager to plunge to his/her death from the top of a building or cliff.
PCP or “angel dust,” as it used to be called, is a synthetic elephant tranquilizer. It can produce hallucinations and is very destructive to the tissues of the brain. Speed, an “upper,” is still used by many in a form most commonly known as “crystal meth.” Another speed-related drug which is high in popularity at the moment is “ecstasy.”
Narcotics are medically used to relieve physical pain. However, some narcotics are also commonly used as street drugs. Codeine, heroin, morphine and opium are the best-known narcotics. Although they relieve pain, they also can interfere with the user’s judgment, self-control, and ability to concentrate. Furthermore, they require an increasing amount of the drug to get the same effect.
Heroin and cocaine probably remain the most hardcore drugs used by adolescents and adults alike. Both are highly addictive and extremely dangerous. Most typically, a teenager who tries either of these drugs will rationalize that usage. In the case of heroin, for example, he or she will feel that they can “shoot up” now and then without becoming addicted. Fortunately, the number of teenagers who try heroin are in the minority.
Cocaine is used more frequently. Cocaine is often smoked in a pipe which is then passed around between friends. When used in this way, usually the cocaine is in crystal form and is called “crack cocaine.” The other common way to use cocaine is in powder form which is then inhaled through the nose (snorted). No one who begins using cocaine, or any other drug, expects to become addicted. But cocaine is incredibly dangerous because it can be so quickly addictive, with a power which is extremely difficult to break. Cocaine can also produce erratic and even violent behavior in otherwise non-violent people. Furthermore, depression often accompanies withdrawal. Presenting an additional complication, many users have contracted HIV by using contaminated needles.
Stimulants, also known as “uppers,” provide a temporary feeling of alertness and self-confidence. Nicotine and caffeine are mild, legal stimulants. “Speed,” “crystal meth,” and “ice” are commonly abused amphetamines.
Stimulants increase the pulse rate, blood pressure and activity level. They often provide a temporary surge of false confidence. They also cause increased restlessness, hallucinations and serious mental confusion.
In a relatively recent report a director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy spoke of the increase in use of the drug ecstasy, or MDMA, which is a derivative of speed or methamphetamine. People on ecstasy feel euphoric and interact socially with greater frequency. The danger is that ecstasy also dramatically raises blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature levels. While it is perfectly possible to have such an elevation in temperature that kids have actually dropped dead on first usage (hence the excessive number of bottles of water at rave parties), those who use ecstasy chronically and survive can go on to have mood swings and sleep disturbances because of the effect ecstasy has on the human ability to respond to serotonin, a substance in the body which promotes a sense of well-being, affects sleep patterns, and militates against depression. Some preliminary research indicates it is possible that a normal response to serotonin may be permanently disturbed even after the individual involved has stopped using ecstasy.
 Sometimes even a legitimate use
of prescription or over the counter
drugs can lead to trouble.
Depressants, also known as “downers,” slow the pulse rate and breathing and lower the user’s blood pressure. Once again, many drugs in this category are legitimately used under a physician’s supervision. They include barbiturates, tranquilizers, and methaqualone. Alcohol is the best-known legal “downer” and, like the others, it slows the user’s reflexes and causes intoxication, confusion and impaired judgment.
Cannabis (marijuana and hashish) is known as “pot,” “weed” or “hash.” While alcohol is probably the most frequent drug of choice for teenagers, marijuana is a close second. Many teens use them together. Indeed, using marijuana and alcohol together is the basis for many teenage drug parties as well as those involving young adults—and older. Marijuana increases the heart rate and can cause mental confusion, suspiciousness, intense anxiety, and depression.
Legitimate Drugs: Not all drugs which are used by teenagers are so-called “street drugs.” Sometimes even a legitimate use of prescription or over the counter drugs can lead to trouble. A girl who is now constantly stoned first learned what drugs could do when she was sick in the hospital. She says, “Ever since then I have felt that all I have to do to escape from my problems is to drop a little red pill.”
Causes
Why would a student body leader, with popularity and academic success, use drugs for added kicks and excitement? Or why would a girl from a Christian home use drugs? There is no typical, simple reason for drug abuse. The reasons are as varied as the individuals involved. But there are some common themes:
Adolescent experimentation and the search for a kick: One of the defining marks of teenagers is the desire to try new things. For their entire childhood, teenagers have been largely under the control of parents, teachers, and other adults. They could say “no,” refuse to cooperate and, within limits, do a number of things on their own. But when they reach the teenage years, things change. Teens start challenging the advice and standards of adults. They have the physical strength and freedom to go places and try things they haven’t done before. They also want to test the limits, and they often have a feeling of excitement about doing something that is forbidden.
In every age, adolescents have tried new things. The prodigal son went to the big city to check out a different lifestyle. But now, instead of breaking curfew, smoking a cigarette behind the barn, or drinking a beer at a party, today’s teens (and even preteen and grade-school children) often experiment with drugs that can have much more severe and lasting consequences.
 Continued on Page Four
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