Substance Use Thesis Statement
Thesis Statement
There are prevention programs throughout the United States that target Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs usage among adolescent ages 12 to 17; however, are they working and can they be improved to save our children?
Introduction This research is intended to examine adolescent substance use in the United State by reviewing secondary research of statistics of prevalence, mortality, and mobility. It will compare risk factors and look at the prevention programs throughout the United States that target Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs usage among adolescents ages 12 to 17; To see, are they working and can they be improved to save our children.
Literiture Review
In 2009, according to the National Center for Children …show more content…
This is because the prefrontal cortex, which controls planning, self-control, abstract thinking, working memory,and goal-directed behavior (Gladwin, Figner, Crone, & Wiers, 2011, p.366), are being affected by the substance use, when the prefrontal cortex is still developing. The substance use affects the brains ability to prune necessary neurons and myelin, which covers nerves and protects them so that the brains signals are transmitted correctly (Simpson, 2008). Thus, during the time when the adolcescent brain is still developing and the adolescent themselves are searching for their identity, if they are a substance user, the adolescent is already in the process of possibly destroying their lives mentally and physically. The frightening thing is, it can take only one time for the adolescent to use a substance such as cocaine and die.
Mortality
Twenty-nine percent of adolescent deaths are traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving (Winters, 1999). Another 18% of adolescents ages 16 to 20 or 2.5 million adolescents drink and drive (Winters, 1999). In one study, out 106 adolescents 7% stated that they had used alcohol or another drug at the time of their suicide attempt (Spirito, Barnett, & Lewander, 2008). Although there are groups that deal with teenage drinking and driving, we are still loosing our children to risky behaviors that are increased because of substance use.
Risk …show more content…
The primary goal is to reach adolescents before they use. However, if the adolescent has already used the the prevention specialists job is to educate the user. The problem in Kent County Delaware is that there is not a facility that the prevention specialist can refer an adolescent to receive treatment (Mims, 2016). To receive substance abuse treatment in Kent County, the person must be 18 years or older, an adult. The exception to this is mental health. However, the problem with the mental health referral is that the adolescent would only be treated for mental health issues and the root cause of why the adolescent is using is not addressed. Thus, if the parent and/or adolescent user is not willing to be referred to a treatment facility in New Castle County, the adolescent will not receive the needed
There are prevention programs throughout the United States that target Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs usage among adolescent ages 12 to 17; however, are they working and can they be improved to save our children?
Introduction This research is intended to examine adolescent substance use in the United State by reviewing secondary research of statistics of prevalence, mortality, and mobility. It will compare risk factors and look at the prevention programs throughout the United States that target Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs usage among adolescents ages 12 to 17; To see, are they working and can they be improved to save our children.
Literiture Review
In 2009, according to the National Center for Children …show more content…
This is because the prefrontal cortex, which controls planning, self-control, abstract thinking, working memory,and goal-directed behavior (Gladwin, Figner, Crone, & Wiers, 2011, p.366), are being affected by the substance use, when the prefrontal cortex is still developing. The substance use affects the brains ability to prune necessary neurons and myelin, which covers nerves and protects them so that the brains signals are transmitted correctly (Simpson, 2008). Thus, during the time when the adolcescent brain is still developing and the adolescent themselves are searching for their identity, if they are a substance user, the adolescent is already in the process of possibly destroying their lives mentally and physically. The frightening thing is, it can take only one time for the adolescent to use a substance such as cocaine and die.
Mortality
Twenty-nine percent of adolescent deaths are traffic fatalities due to drinking and driving (Winters, 1999). Another 18% of adolescents ages 16 to 20 or 2.5 million adolescents drink and drive (Winters, 1999). In one study, out 106 adolescents 7% stated that they had used alcohol or another drug at the time of their suicide attempt (Spirito, Barnett, & Lewander, 2008). Although there are groups that deal with teenage drinking and driving, we are still loosing our children to risky behaviors that are increased because of substance use.
Risk …show more content…
The primary goal is to reach adolescents before they use. However, if the adolescent has already used the the prevention specialists job is to educate the user. The problem in Kent County Delaware is that there is not a facility that the prevention specialist can refer an adolescent to receive treatment (Mims, 2016). To receive substance abuse treatment in Kent County, the person must be 18 years or older, an adult. The exception to this is mental health. However, the problem with the mental health referral is that the adolescent would only be treated for mental health issues and the root cause of why the adolescent is using is not addressed. Thus, if the parent and/or adolescent user is not willing to be referred to a treatment facility in New Castle County, the adolescent will not receive the needed