controlling abuse of drugs among the youth

 controlling abuse of drugs among the youth

Drug abuse is the repeated use of a certain drug such that it interferes with an individual’s health and social relationships. Drug and substance abuse is a global health problem affecting people regardless of their gender or race. Prevalence of drug abuse among the youth age group is alarming, and the trend has been attributed to peer pressure. Drug abuse has adverse effects on the users, family members, and society at large. Death is one of the harmful effects caused by drug and substance abuse. Various bodies have been formed in recent to control abuse of drugs among the youth. Drug abuse involves the use of both legal and illegal drugs. Cannabis is one of the most abused drugs in the world, and it has both mental and physical effects on users.

Marijuana has a long history of human use. Marijuana is also referred to as cannabis or pot by its users. At around 500 BC, marijuana plant was being grown in Asia but only for medicinal purposes (Johnson, 138). At this time marijuana was also being grown in America by colonists for making textile and ropes. In the 20th century, due to racial and political factors, marijuana was illegalized in America. People already knew the psychoactive effects of marijuana in the 20th century. Marijuana plant then spread over the entire world because the plant is easy to cultivate and it takes a short time to mature.

Marijuana is still traded today from one country to another, and the act is considered illegal by most of the states in the world. According to the World Health Organization report, marijuana is mostly abused in Western Africa, North America, and Oceania (Silins, 90). Cannabis is consumed by both the male and female members of the society. World Health Organization in the European region estimated that 11.7 percent of the people between the age of 15-34 years abused marijuana in 2014. Therefore, marijuana is mostly consumed by the young members of society. Marijuana is universally used by members of all the world races.

Marijuana causes adverse physical and mental effects on its users. Harmful effects caused by marijuana have forced many states to ban the consumption of the drug. Marijuana causes both the short effects and long term effects on the users (Pacula, 20). Some short term effects of marijuana on the users are impaired attention and inability to think. Drivers driving while under the influence of marijuana can easily cause accidents because of reduced attention effect caused by cannabis. Mood changes, euphoria, and increased appetite are also other short term effects associated with marijuana consumption. Some people may become courageous after using cannabis, while others can experience fear. Long term exposure to marijuana results in physical and behavioral effects. Marijuana causes liver and lung diseases after consuming the drug for many years. Also, marijuana affects women who are pregnant, and pregnant women are restricted from smoking marijuana during pregnancy period. Cannabis smoking also causes respiratory problems and coughing among users. Therefore, cannabis consumption has harmful effects on both users and society.

Treatment is administered to the people who are addicted to marijuana and are willing to stop using the drug. Also, due to the harmful effects caused by marijuana, several programs and strategies have been put in place to prevent the youth from using the drug. Some people addicted to marijuana can quit the drug without full-scale treatment center. However, people who live in an environment where it is difficult to stop marijuana are treated in full-scale treatment centers to quit marijuana. Therapy and support groups are the most commonly used methods to treat marijuana addiction. Youth programs such as arranging sporting activities while the youths are on holiday prevent them from indulging in marijuana use by keeping them busy. Electronic cigarettes have been recently introduced to prevent tobacco addicts from smoking. However, the introduction of electronic cigarettes has initiated more youth to start smoking marijuana. Many youths have the accessibility of electronic cigarettes (Bandara, 143). Smoking electronic cigarettes form the transition to smoking of Marijuana, which is the current trend in marijuana consumption. People addicted to marijuana are advised to visit medical centers for treatment.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a global health problem affecting young people in society. Prevalence of drug abuse among the youth is currently alarming. Marijuana is mostly used by the youth, which is attributed to peer influence. Marijuana was first used for medicinal purposes in Asia, but when people realized the psychoactive effects of marijuana, it spread over the whole world. Marijuana use causes both short term and long term effects on the users. Rehabilitation is useful in helping people who are addicted to marijuana to quit the drug. Strategies have been put in place to prevent the youth from using marijuana. The government should come up with other strategies to create more awareness about the adverse effects of marijuana among the youth.