Early Drug Addiction in Teens Becomes Common

 

AISHANI SELLATHURAI EMILY TRAN Editor in Chief Staff Writer

Adolescents who are exposed to drugs, alcohol and cigarettes at an early age are at risk of multiple issues. Teenagers who develop these addictions often suffer extreme side effects such as stiffened arteries, cancer and depression. Professor John Deanfield from the UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science conducted research on the effects of addiction within young adults. He revealed that there was an association between drinking and smoking and the delay in atherosclerosis progression. He noticed, even if it is deemed as obvious, that once teenagers stopped smoking and drinking, their arteries return back to normal. Considering how fast these young adolescents can heal, Deanfield strongly asserts that teens should quit their unhealthy habits while they still can. There are many resources to help a person recover from their addiction, available at and outside of school. “Better education should be provided to students on the subject [of addiction],” freshman Jesus Muro said. “For example, teachers would show students how people’s lives changed when they were addicted versus when they weren’t.” Hearing about the real-life experiences of young people who have suffered from drug addiction could be a way to caution students against smoking and drinking. Another way to prevent drug abuse is to make drugs, cigarettes and alcohol more difficult for teenagers to access. “We should make cigarettes and alcohol less available,” sophomore Milan Ledesma said. “The resources in school should be easier to access. If a person is already addicted, they should be sent to rehab.” According to Treatment Solutions, five ways to prevent substance abuse would be to effectively deal with peer pressure, deal with life pressure, examine the risk factors, keep a well balanced life and to seek help for mental illness.