Running head: SUMMATION OF RESEARCH HOT TOPIC: SUBSTANCE ABUSE 1

Summation of Research Hot Topic:

Substance Abuse Among Students
Kedale Smith
Arizona State University
SUMMATION OF RESEARCH HOT TOPIC: SUBSTANCE ABUSE 2

Abstract

At-risk behaviors can lead to dangerous outcomes among adolescences like injury and death, one

of these behaviors is substance abuse. Many students get caught up in this behavior and the

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) showcases this through research and

surveys that calculate the number of students that have partook in alcohol and other drugs. It is

important to know not only the statistics of substance abuse but how this behavior can lead to

risky behavior by examining its physical and psychological effects on students. The final step is

to inform teachers and other community leaders so that they can establish preventative programs

and treatments for these behaviors.

SUMMATION OF RESEARCH HOT TOPIC: SUBSTANCE ABUSE 3

Substance abuse among students is one of the many dangerous issues that plague schools and

communities, only through the proper sharing of information and establishment of preventative

programs can these problems be resolved. The first thing that needs to be visited is the statistics

and information that surrounds this subject, that is where the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance

System (YRBSS) comes into play. YRBSS is a compilation of confidential surveys that have

been collected since 1991 to as recent as 2017, these surveys have collected an ample amount of

information regarding at-risk behaviors that include substance abuse among students (Centers for

Disease, 2018). The YRBSS has recorded that alcohol use has decreased by 20% to an overall

60.4% since 1991 to 2017 while marijuana use has risen by 4% to 35.6%, information to keep in

mind is that this data has been collected from high school students (freshman to seniors) (Centers

for Disease, 2018). It is important to note that although some of these numbers have been

gradually decreasing since 1991 that 60.4% of students having consumed alcohol is still too high

of a number. The next chunk of information to look at is the effects of these substances on the

students.

It is important when looking at the effects of substance abuse among students to look at

both the physical and psychological effects. These substances can make students become

addicted and wanting to receive that boost of dopamine, as stated by Serenity at Summit (2018),

“drugs can release 2 to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards such as eating and

sex do”. This effect can have devastating results and can lead to lifelong addictions that students

may development while still young and may lead to destructive outcomes. Another thing to keep

in mind that these drugs also make students more reckless, as shown in the text, “drug and

alcohol abuse often lead to impaired judgment, which means that addicts are more likely to take
SUMMATION OF RESEARCH HOT TOPIC: SUBSTANCE ABUSE 4

risky actions that they wouldn’t have if their brains weren’t compromised by drug and alcohol

use” (Serenity at Summit, 2018). Another huge tie-in with substance abuse is how it can lead to

other at-risk behavior problems like pregnancy, unsafe sex that can result in STD’s, and inherent

violence as a result of the substance due to corrupted minds (Serenity at Summit, 2018). Due to

them chasing that high, students will be more likely to make bad decisions due to their clouded

judgment and addiction to drugs, therefore, this can negatively impact their school life and daily

lives.

Treatment for these behaviors is a responsibility that all teachers share, it is their duty to

keep their students safe. Through proper sharing of knowledge and implementations of

preventative measures and programs like urine screenings, although they sound invasive, may

help prevent some of these issues (Leslie, 2008). Another huge help would be through educating

the students about the horrors and possible effects of alcohol and other substance abuse,

implementing a “Just Say No” program can work wonders, if students know that their

community cares and are looking to be involved, this may make them think twice about their

future (Leslie, 2018). What it really comes down to is how important it is that teachers,

community leaders, parents and students all be properly educated about substances and their

dangerous effects on the physical development of adolescents.

All in all, when it comes to the research done by the YRBSS and how it carefully lays out

statistics collected from 1991 to 2017, hopefully it will be updated soon, and how the affects of

substances can corrupt the minds of students, the most important thing is the treatment and

preventative measures that must be put in place by the community surrounding these students.

All of the information in the world is useless if no action or steps are taken to prevent these

outcomes from transpiring within the youth.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (June 14, 2018) Adolescent and School Health.

Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/overview.htm.

Leslie, K. (January 15, 2008). Youth substance use and abuse: challenges and strategies for

identification and intervention. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2175001/.

Serenity at Summit. (April 26, 2018). How Substance Abuse Causes Risky Behavior. Retrieved

from https://www.serenityatsummit.com/addiction/substance-abuse-causes-risky-

behavior/.