TASK 3:

TEMA DE INTERÉS PERSONAL: "LA DROGA EN LOS ADOLESCENTES"

Drugs - teenagers:  ( BETTER HEALTH CHANNEL)

Adolescence is typically a period of experimentation, irrespective of parenting skills and influence. Cannabis is the most common illegal drug used by teenagers, with around one in five having tried it at least once. Parents typically worry about their child becoming dependent on drugs such as methamphetamines (speed and ice), ecstasy, heroin and cocaine. However, the more likely threat to any teenager’s health is the use of drugs such as alcohol and tobacco.

There is no way to guarantee your child will never take drugs, but you can reduce the possibility of your teenager experiencing drug problems in a number of ways.

Reasons teenagers take drugs

Young people use drugs for similar reasons that adults do – to change how they feel because they want to feel better or different. Reasons may include:

• Socialising with friends, peer pressure or the need to feel part of a group
• Relaxation or fun
• Boredom
• Curiosity, experimentation or wanting to take risks
• To escape from psychological or physiological pain.

Drugs commonly used by teenagers

Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco are the three most commonly used drugs among young people. According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey of Australians aged 14–19 years, in 2010:

• 67 per cent had tried alcohol and just over one in five (21.1 per cent) were drinking alcohol on a weekly basis.
• One in five (21.5 per cent) had tried cannabis.
• Just under 12 per cent had tried tobacco and just under seven per cent smoked on a daily basis.
• Just over two per cent had tried amphetamines for non-medical reasons.
• 4.7 per cent had tried ecstasy.
• 2.1 per cent had tried inhalants – such as petrol, glue and solvents.
• 2.1 per cent had tried cocaine.

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey of Australians also found that just 0.3 per cent of 14–19 year olds had tried heroin in 2007 (statistics for this age group are not available for 2010).

Cannabis as a ‘gateway’ drug for teenagers

Many parents are concerned that if their child tries cannabis, it will only be a matter of time before they progress to other drugs, such as amphetamines and heroin. However, there is no evidence to support the theory that cannabis is a ‘gateway’ drug that automatically leads to the use of other drugs.

Preventing drug use in teenagers

There are no parenting skills or behaviours that guarantee a young person will never touch drugs. However, parents and guardians can reduce the possibility of a young person experiencing drug problems in a number of ways.

Suggestions include:

• Foster a close and trusting relationship with your child from an early age and support and encourage positive behaviour.
• Model appropriate behaviour such as drinking moderately, not smoking and not using illicit drugs.
• Establish agreements and guidelines about what is acceptable behaviour around alcohol and drugs.
• Encourage a healthy approach to life including good foods, regular exercise and sports.
• Encourage your child to have more than one group of friends.
• Allow your child to practise responsibility and develop good decision-making skills from an early age.
• Keep yourself informed about drugs and educate your child on the dangers of drug use. Do not exaggerate or make information up.
• Have open and honest discussions about drugs.

If you suspect your child is taking drugs

There are no specific signs or behaviours that can tell you a young person is definitely using drugs. Uncharacteristic behaviours such as mood swings, a drop in schooling performance, different friends and a changed appearance may indicate drug use – but they could also indicate other issues that are not drug related.

If you suspect your child is using drugs:

• If possible, don’t react on your first impulse – give yourself time to think.
• Resist the urge to snoop or search your child’s room or belongings for evidence.
• Research drugs so that you have the facts.
• Raise your concerns calmly with your child when you both feel relaxed.
• If your child is taking drugs, don’t issue ultimatums.
• Try to educate your child on the health and lifestyle risks.
• You may have to accept that an older teenager will not stop taking their drug, no matter what you say.
• If your child gets into trouble with the police or has to go to court, support them but let them cope with the consequences such as paying their own fines.

COSAS QUE SÉ	Que cada vez es más frecuente.	Que afecta el cerebro del que las consume.	Que el alcohol y la marihuana son las drogas más consumidas por los jóvenes.
PREGUNTAS	¿Plantee al menos dos motivos, del consumo de drogas por los jóvenes?	¿Cuál es la droga con la que generalmente los  jóvenes comienzan el consumo?	¿cuáles son los signos de dicho consumo?

SÍNTESIS:

La adolescencia es un periodo de experimentación para los jóvenes, y por tal motivo es que en esta etapa de la vida es cuando se consume por primera vez las drogas (es la etapa de la vida denominada puerta para la drogas, ya que es en esta etapa que empieza a consumir). la droga más consumida por estos es la marihuana, el alcohol y el tabaco.

Las razones por la cual dichos jóvenes consumen drogas, la mayoría de las veces es por las misma causas que los adultos. Estas son: para saber qué se siente, por curiosidad, por la presión del grupo, aburrimiento, etc.

Según encuentas australianas, de 14 a 19 años de edad: el 67% de estos asume haber consumido alcohol, uno de cada cinco ha consumido marihuana, el 12% consume tabaco y en porcentajes menores otro tipo de drogas.

Muchos padres tienen temor que sus hijos comiencen con marihuana y terminen con drogas mucho más fuertes y dañinas. No hay prevención para dicho consumo por parte de los padres pero si reducir las posibilidades teniendo en cuenta determinados factores como: mantener una relación cercana, manifestar enfoques de vida saludable, predicar con el ejemplo, etc.

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