Deadly Habits
We live in a world that is filled with little temptations and unfortunately for some, the temptation of drugs can sometimes prove too great. In fact, for a small percentage, use is often chaotic and at problematic levels. We live in a drug-taking society and while that statement in itself is no big surprise, what is surprising is the number of young drug users in our community.
Drugs are substances that alter normal brain function. In many instances, drugs are being utilized as artificial problem solvers. While the lure of drugs is that they can often make a problem disappear for a short period of time, they are by no means the answer for solving the problem.
It is true that youth is a time of experimentation and taking risks in the process of discovering individual identities. It is also a time for many "firsts" - experiencing your first love relationship and for others, experimenting with drugs for the first time. While in the past, drug use among the young was only apparent in a select group (i.e. those on the fringe of society), these days, drug use can often be perceived as the norm.
Drug users are generally classified into five major categories:
Experimental users
Recreational users
Situational (or occupational) users
Intensive (or binge) users
Compulsive (or dependent) users
The relationship between drug use and young people is quite complex. Research has highlighted that drug use amongst young people is often experimental and/or recreational. Experimentation among young people is widespread which puts this group at greater risk of harm due to accidents and overdoses.
Young peoples' [potential] drug use has been divided into the following possible "stages" of use:
12-14 yrs: young people may begin with experimental use of drugs.
15-17 yrs: experimental use continues but becomes interspersed with "binge" use.
18-20 yrs: any problematic use of substances begins to become integrated into young person's life.
21-24 yrs: problematic use of substances becomes entrenched.
Source: 'Drugs & Our Community' - Report of the Premier's Advisory Council, March 1996
These "stages" serve only as an indication of what young people think about drugs and what changes in attitude may occur at different stages in a young's person's life.
Many drugs are used socially or because of increasing peer pressure between friendship circles and family environments. It is the social aspect of youth drug use that has been found to be of considerable significance. Some youth may find such settings supportive, nonjudgmental and a buffer against a world that doesn't seem to understand them. Adolescence is a time of immense physical and emotional change so often young people may not have the skills to cope with the pressures of life.
Many young people experiment with using drugs to cure their curiosity about the sensations they produce, but the danger with these experimentations is not knowing when to stop or to put it plainly, becoming a drug addict. The consequences caused by regular, prolonged or intensive drug use often do not seem as "real" to young people, as the immediate effects (which are experienced as positive and therefore outweigh the negative effects). Current trends indicate relatively high levels of experimental and recreational use of amphetamines among young people.
The majority of young drug users turn to drugs to feel the euphoria (the rush) that often drugs will deliver. Others take drugs to feel less inhibited to be a part of a group, for fun, or simply to overcome boredom. But generally, and according to research, the most common reason why people use drugs is to change the way they feel, that is, to conceal their feelings of pain etc.
STATS (1998 National Drug Strategy Household Survey)
Marijuana is the most commonly used drug after tobacco and alcohol. 39.3% of persons aged 14 or more have tried it.
Amphetamines have been tried by 8.7% of the population.
Designer drugs, particularly Ecstasy (MDMA) have been tried by 4.7% of the population.
Heroin has been tried by 2.2% of the population.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated that in 1997, illicit drugs were associated with 831 deaths and over 11,000 hospitalizations.
In a separate study, which was carried out two years ago with 4,700 Victorian secondary school students, it was found that:
Over one third had used cannabis.
Almost one quarter had deliberately sniffed inhalants such as glue, paint and petrol at least once.
4 per cent had used amphetamines.
3 per cent used cocaine.
3 per cent used ecstasy.
While the effects of drugs can be stated generally, it is impossible to predict exactly how a drug will affect any one person as everyone reacts differently to drugs. Drugs can affect people physically, psychologically or both. All drugs can be harmful if they are misused. People who use drugs on a regular basis are in danger of inflicting damage to their physical or mental health, or their social wellbeing. Personal health relates to accidents, overdoses, diseases caused by or related to use, withdrawal, mental illness and depression. There has been an increase in the number of deaths directly attributable to illicit drug overdose in the past three years.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
While people are responsible for their own actions, support is paramount in these situations. Youth should be provided with good role models and images, and be provided with alternatives to drug use. While schools have a critical role to play in informing and educating young people about the role of drugs and their use and misuse in our society.
Next month GIRL takes a closer look at the "party drug" ecstasy......
- Annemarie Failla
Drugs are substances that alter normal brain function. In many instances, drugs are being utilized as artificial problem solvers. While the lure of drugs is that they can often make a problem disappear for a short period of time, they are by no means the answer for solving the problem.
It is true that youth is a time of experimentation and taking risks in the process of discovering individual identities. It is also a time for many "firsts" - experiencing your first love relationship and for others, experimenting with drugs for the first time. While in the past, drug use among the young was only apparent in a select group (i.e. those on the fringe of society), these days, drug use can often be perceived as the norm.
Drug users are generally classified into five major categories:
Experimental users
Recreational users
Situational (or occupational) users
Intensive (or binge) users
Compulsive (or dependent) users
The relationship between drug use and young people is quite complex. Research has highlighted that drug use amongst young people is often experimental and/or recreational. Experimentation among young people is widespread which puts this group at greater risk of harm due to accidents and overdoses.
Young peoples' [potential] drug use has been divided into the following possible "stages" of use:
12-14 yrs: young people may begin with experimental use of drugs.
15-17 yrs: experimental use continues but becomes interspersed with "binge" use.
18-20 yrs: any problematic use of substances begins to become integrated into young person's life.
21-24 yrs: problematic use of substances becomes entrenched.
Source: 'Drugs & Our Community' - Report of the Premier's Advisory Council, March 1996
These "stages" serve only as an indication of what young people think about drugs and what changes in attitude may occur at different stages in a young's person's life.
Many drugs are used socially or because of increasing peer pressure between friendship circles and family environments. It is the social aspect of youth drug use that has been found to be of considerable significance. Some youth may find such settings supportive, nonjudgmental and a buffer against a world that doesn't seem to understand them. Adolescence is a time of immense physical and emotional change so often young people may not have the skills to cope with the pressures of life.
Many young people experiment with using drugs to cure their curiosity about the sensations they produce, but the danger with these experimentations is not knowing when to stop or to put it plainly, becoming a drug addict. The consequences caused by regular, prolonged or intensive drug use often do not seem as "real" to young people, as the immediate effects (which are experienced as positive and therefore outweigh the negative effects). Current trends indicate relatively high levels of experimental and recreational use of amphetamines among young people.
The majority of young drug users turn to drugs to feel the euphoria (the rush) that often drugs will deliver. Others take drugs to feel less inhibited to be a part of a group, for fun, or simply to overcome boredom. But generally, and according to research, the most common reason why people use drugs is to change the way they feel, that is, to conceal their feelings of pain etc.
STATS (1998 National Drug Strategy Household Survey)
Marijuana is the most commonly used drug after tobacco and alcohol. 39.3% of persons aged 14 or more have tried it.
Amphetamines have been tried by 8.7% of the population.
Designer drugs, particularly Ecstasy (MDMA) have been tried by 4.7% of the population.
Heroin has been tried by 2.2% of the population.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated that in 1997, illicit drugs were associated with 831 deaths and over 11,000 hospitalizations.
In a separate study, which was carried out two years ago with 4,700 Victorian secondary school students, it was found that:
Over one third had used cannabis.
Almost one quarter had deliberately sniffed inhalants such as glue, paint and petrol at least once.
4 per cent had used amphetamines.
3 per cent used cocaine.
3 per cent used ecstasy.
While the effects of drugs can be stated generally, it is impossible to predict exactly how a drug will affect any one person as everyone reacts differently to drugs. Drugs can affect people physically, psychologically or both. All drugs can be harmful if they are misused. People who use drugs on a regular basis are in danger of inflicting damage to their physical or mental health, or their social wellbeing. Personal health relates to accidents, overdoses, diseases caused by or related to use, withdrawal, mental illness and depression. There has been an increase in the number of deaths directly attributable to illicit drug overdose in the past three years.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
While people are responsible for their own actions, support is paramount in these situations. Youth should be provided with good role models and images, and be provided with alternatives to drug use. While schools have a critical role to play in informing and educating young people about the role of drugs and their use and misuse in our society.
Next month GIRL takes a closer look at the "party drug" ecstasy......
- Annemarie Failla
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