Peer Pressure

As you go into high school you are told by many that there is a lot of peer pressure that goes on, and trust me there is. One of the big things teens have been pressured into doing at some time during their high school careers is doing some type of drugs. According the Drug and Alcohol Rehab Services the most common drugs used among teens today include Marijuana, Prescription Drugs, Alcohol, and Ecstasy. Being a current high school student I would say the drugs that are most used are Marijuana and Alcohol.

This shows that it is almost uncommon for someone to not have had a drink by the time they reach the legal age and that they are more likely then not to have tried an alcoholic beverage by the age of 15.

Marijuana, also commonly known as weed, pot or grass, and has been used for many generations and still is one of the most commonly used drugs today. Many teens today say they use this drug because either 1, their parents or someone they know did it and if “they did it and survived, then why can’t I do it?” or 2 they believe that it a harmless drug and it is a lot better than drinking or doing more harmful drugs, but in all reality, when you look at the big picture that is not the case at all. Although it is the same drug used decades ago, it has become a much bigger concern because teen today are starting to use it at a younger and younger age, meaning that they are a lot more likely to progress on to more powerful and addicting substances as they grow older. According the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 15 million Americans 12 and older had used marijuana within the past month, placing it way ahead the 2^nd most used drug which was placed at 6 million users. As of 2012 there was an 80% rise in the ‘past-month’ users since the 2008 survey.

This graph shows just how easy it is for teens to get any type of drugs making it all the easier to fall into peer pressure and get involved with things that they shouldn't while in high school

                Now you may wonder, what exactly makes this drug so “great” and potentially addicting? After using the drug over and over again you eventually are both physically and mentally hooked to it. Once consuming the drug once, it produces a high that lasts several hours, during this period of time users experience some or all of the following symptoms including: Distorted Perception (Sights, sounds, time, touch), Trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor control, increased heart rate, anxiety, and dry mouth and dry throat. Not only does this drug have short term effects but also long term effects including increased stress on the heart, memory loss, weakened immune system, and lastly it messes with your hormones.
                Understand that you're a teenager and you WILL run into peer pressure many times during your high school and teen days, just remember to stick to your beliefs, stay strong and just say NO!