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Gore 1
Jenna Gore
DeBock
English IV Honors
March 18, 2015
Juveniles, Drugs, and Alcohol
Alcohol, drugs, and peer pressure can cause teenagers to commit crimes and go down the
wrong path of life. Young adults have numerous reasons for trying drugs and/or alcohol at some
point in their high school career. Using illegal substances can help a young person forget their
problems, even if it is just for a night. Teenagers are under a lot of stress with jobs, friends,
families, and of course, actual school work.
Preteens and teens believe that minors use drugs and alcohol for numerous reasons:
depression, loneliness, peer pressure, thrills, escapism, popularity, rebellion, confusion, family
problems, curiosity, fun, and stress. These young adults also know that the dangers include
addition, disease, arrest, and death. There are drug education programs, such as DARE (Drug
Abuse Resistance Education) that do their best to sway juveniles from making poor choices
(Snow 1). It is almost shocking how accessible drugs are to high school students. Usually
suppliers are older friends or siblings, but some are even parents. Students have trouble coping
with jobs, after school activities, family problems, and parents, and sometimes they feel that the
only way to get away from their problems is to drink alcohol or abuse drugs (Snow 2).
The amount of juveniles who use drugs and drink continues to increase. In 2002, 11.5% of
minors between the ages of 12 and 17 were currently using illicit drugs. Marijuana was the most
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common, but psychotherapeutic drugs and inhalants were following closely (Wiloch 14). In
2005, 46.4% of white high-schoolers drank alcohol regularly (Alters 4). 30.2% of 12th graders
have been drunk in the past month (Alters 7). Although students proceed in this behavior, they do
know it is wrong. 37.6% of juniors in high school believe that alcohol is harmful (Alters 20).
Kevin Boyer, of Snows article, stated that kids drink to forget their problems for a short period
of time.
While students are in high school, the majority of them are not old enough to purchase
cigarettes legally. 63.3% of high school seniors say that any form of tobacco is very harmful
(Alters 31). However, 26% of high school students used any form of tobacco regularly in 2009
(Alters 32). Most students consider cigarette smoking a form of drug use; they are now even
calling it an anti-drug (Snow 1). Teenagers have the idea that marijuana is less dangerous than
smoking cigarettes, as only 41.1% of high school seniors think that marijuana is very harmful
(Alters 37).
Drug related juvenile arrests have increased 59.1% from 1993 to 2002 (Wiloch 8). With that
rate, these arrests have surely increased since 2002. Juveniles that were arrested at the age of 17
showed the highest proportion of drug use. Marijuana was the most common drug that tested
positive in both male and female juveniles systems. Cocaine came in second, though it was
much less common (Wiloch 15). According to Wilochs article, Teens also took advantage of the
government when in 1983, 33 states allowed people under 21 to purchase alcohol. This was the
peak year for DUIs. In 2002, 116,781 juveniles were arrested with drug related charges (Wiloch
11).
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Although students in high school know that using these illegal substances is bad for their
health, they continue to do it. Life as a teenager can be extremely stressful and hectic, as most
are trying to juggle family and friends, a job, and their school work. Most young adults are
willing to do just about anything to forget their problems and just have fun for a night.
Alcohol, drugs, and peer pressure can cause teenagers to commit crimes and go down the wrong
path of life.
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Works Cited
Alters, Sandra M. "Alcohol, Tobacco, Illicit Drugs, and Youth." Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit
Drugs. 2007 ed. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Information Plus Reference Series. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
Snow, Misti. "Young People Talk About Drugs." Drugs. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego:
Greenhaven Press, 2002. Teen Decisions. Rpt. from "Kids Offer Sobering Look at Illegal
Drug and Alcohol Use." Minneapolis Star-Tribune 8 Jan. 2001. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
Wiloch, Thomas. "Crime, Alcohol, and Drugs." Crime: A Serious American Problem. Detroit:
Gale, 2005. Information Plus Reference Series. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 10
Mar. 2015.

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