Do Teenagers Become Drug Addicts because of Peer Pressure - Research Paper Example

?Do Teenagers become drug addicts because of peer pressure? Drug abuse and addiction is a major phenomenon in most of the societies today. This has generated several debates for many years. Today there is no common agreement between the proponent and opponents of drugs. Drug abuse affects all member of the society the young, and elderly. However, most of the discussion is geared toward the teenage population. This is because this age group is the hope for any country that aspires to grow in all aspects usually economically. Additionally, teenagers are the one carrying the burden of drug abuse. There has been serious campaign to counter the effects of drug to this vulnerable group that is the hope of the society. This paper aims at discussing of the scientific data regarding this topic, critique of the quality of the research designs, appropriateness of the researchers’ conclusion followed by a detailed description of the interview conducted. Logical analyses of various researches provide insight into this topic. This study analyzes the consumption of alcohol and tobacco among high-school adolescents in the district of Porto, Portugal. In this research of all the respondents their initial stage of smoking on average was 13.67 years. This is a good prove that smoking generally starts at adolescence. The study also managed to demonstrate that majority of smokers are at an old age bracket. The results also indicated that goes started smoking at an early stage than the boys. In addition, according to the study there is high chance of being addicted if one is exposed to a surrounding with smokers, for example, those adolescent with friends who could smoke was in a high percentage. In this study, it was established that living with a relative who smokes contributed significantly to adolescent smoking. Those adolescents who consumed alcohol was at 42.6% though girls showed minimal rate of consumption. However, the onset stage of drinking alcohol did not differ much. 20.6 % took alcohol below teenage age. This was alarming as they have a high probability of developing alcohol dependency syndrome. Distilled drinks were preferable form of alcohol they are cheap. Mostly these drinks were taken during partying with few going to the pub. This study outcome on alcohol demonstrates that being in association with friends who drinks not only contributed to danger but also continuous consumption of alcohol. The inclusion of only school teenagers excluded teenagers from other sector and hence information was biased. Since it was conducted in urban areas other regions were excluded and hence not a real reflection of society. The study is however, helpful in understanding the stage that needs intervention by the government or other regulatory bodies. Further research need to be carried out particularly on health implications of drug abuse (Margarida et al, 2010). In the second research, the social context of adolescent smoking and a systems perspective is addressed. In this study, the outcome showed that having a friend outside the school or a female friend influenced the emotional part. They had a high chance to manipulate the individual at the reason for smoking pattern observed in the past month. Friends outside the school are more likely to influence an individual, as there is more emotional link. Female friend are more reliable when it comes to emotional support, this support the research that females friends are more likely to influence in the personal network. This show there is high probability of peer pressure influence on the individuality. In this research, the study was not full scale and hence various differences that arose could not be accounted. In future, the type of relationship that exists can be used to help someone quit smoking. This research shows an intricate relationship of friends and drug abuse. It is a good model that uses theory to explain peer pressure (Lakon, 2010). The third article is on Substance Abuse in Adolescents. According to this research, there is suggestion that over 70% of those who goes for programs to minimize drug addiction never goes back for further assessment. According to Dr. Richard Ponton, focus should be on people and not the programs. Data from Minnesota institute indicate the need to focus on asset as individual and those influenced by people around them. Teenager should be supported with asset to prevent them from turning to substance abuse. Still the role of school and community is to be enhanced. This research is good as it focus is wide scale and does not focus on a particular group of people. It is a good tool for analysis of different cases substance abuse. This study is not biased at all and is comprehensive (American Psychotherapy Association, 1998). In the interview summary, Erickson’s psychological stages of development analysis will only be on the cohort of teenagers. According to the interview, adolescent engage in drugs to run away from their problems. Adolescent are faced with myriad problem as they try to establish their identity in society. This problem may include finances, family problems or the societal problem. If proper attention is not given to these individual they opt to turn to drug as a form of solution. This affects the family members and most live in denial that their child is lost to drugs. At this time most family are liable to look excuse to avoid shame while other opt to confront the problem at hand. At this period of development society, give room for youth to explore the world. Failure as the teenage tries to establish identity leads to drug abuse (Ropeik & Gray, 2002). The response to why people take drugs was due to escapism. Usually an individual may experience a form of weakness be not able to disclose to the society. This person turns to drugs as a probable solution. They lack trust to anyone and therefore perceive their life as full of difficulties. Individual response to reason for drug taking was that it provided great feeling and a form of socializing. However, there was still acceptance that forgetfulness and brain damage were the risk. Drugs are commonly taken in social gathering and parties by most of the teenagers. It makes them feel happy as they get attention required of teenagers at this period. It also helps them to explore life. Teenagers usually mistrust the society and mostly no moral values enshrined in the society appear favourable to them. Additionally, response to my interview question was that drug makes them not to care about anything in life. This response shows the individual lack of trust. Drugs appears a source of solution to problem. Such an individual is in denial and does not want to accept what the society is offering. This is generally characterized by rebellion during the teenage period. The respondent also agreed of someone who had prospered in life even after using drug. This demonstrates the effects of peer pressure on drug abuse. This individual is most likely to have been influenced by such a person to take drugs. This is a common characteristic of teenagers developing trust on something. They usually develop an emotional attachment toward substance. The respondent agreed not to have been influenced by someone to take drugs. This demonstrates how this individual is exploring the world. Individual conviction plays a role in making a particular decision. This shows that the society can have a role of ensuring these person are properly nurtured so as they are able to resist pressure from the world. Taking of drugs is likely due to the perception of an individual as weak. There is usually hope that after taking drugs this weakness will be concealed. The respondent said that he needed self-empowerment to stay away from drugs. This shows the instinct of respondent as weak. This factor occurs in this period of development. Such an individual mistrust the world and feel not secure in society. This usually led to withdrawal symptoms. The respondent also agreed to have used weed and this enabled the respondent to feel great. Many teenagers want to have a strong identity in society. They usually aspire to be great and to have a spot in society. Consequently, if this form of identity does not exist they will look for alternatives. The respondent also agreed that doing drug helped him to explore other part of brain. This is generally characteristic of teenagers who want to learn new things from what the society usually offer. Respondent to have liked weed as it makes brain forgetful. Teenagers are usually opposed to the society and are usually against what the society want them to uphold. They usually like engaging with something that makes them forget about the society. The respondent also agreed that the choice one makes about drugs depend on the state of mind. This asserts the view that teenagers have the capability to make a choice about their life. If it is positive, they are most likely to relate with positive thing in life and hence will not do drugs. According to the respondent, drug is a burden to society. Description of drug as illegal seemed to annoy the respondent. The respondent also agreed that crime and health complication are burden of drug to the society. It is only after being kicked out o home that the respondent realized the effect of drugs. This shows that society can play a role in enlightening teens on the effects of drug. According to the respondent, the drug affected him in direct and indirect way. The respondent lost memory was lazy and lacked inspiration. In conclusion, there appears to be a correlation of teenager becoming an addict due to peer pressure. However, in some situations it occurs out of personal will. Drug menace is a problem to many society in the world and many teenagers have succumbed to substance use especially cigarette and alcohol. References American Psychotherapy Association. (1998). Substance Abuse in Adolescents. New York: American Psychotherapy Association.  Lakon, C. (2010). The Social Context of Adolescent Smoking: A Systems Perspective. American Journal of Public Health, 100(7), 1-11. Margarida Maria et al. (2010). Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption among Adolescents. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem, 18(2), 1-8. Ropeik, D & Gray, G. (2002). Risk: A Practical Guide for Deciding What's Really Safe and What's Dangerous in the World Around you . New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Read More