5 Commonly Abused Drugs by Teens

Researchers believe that one of the leading causes for dangerous behaviors in young people includes the fact that the brain of a teenager has not yet fully developed. This physiological immaturity often prevents teens from comprehending the possible ramifications of their actions. Substance abuse is one of the behaviors commonly initiated during the teen years. Statistics indicate that some substances remain more appealing than others.

Marijuana

Also known as grass, pot, or weed, marijuana is the most common drug abused by teenagers. The National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that 50% of teens experiment with this drug before they graduate from high school. Some try the substance out of boredom or peer pressure. Once experiencing the effects of the drug, they continue using marijuana as a coping mechanism for dealing with anger, anxiety, or depression. Current growing methods cause a dramatic increase in the levels of the active ingredient, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC found in the plant. Studies suggest plants may contain 2 to 7 times more THC compared to varieties used during the 1970s.

Synthetic Marijuana

The substance has many different names including “fake weed,” K2, Moon Rocks, Skunk, and Spice. These products typically consist of dried, shredded plant material combined with synthetically manufactured cannabinoids that produce mind altering effects similar to THC. Gas stations, head shops, and online distributors originally sold the products legally as incense. The Drug Enforcement Administration stepped in and declared five of the most common active ingredients controlled substances, making them illegal to buy, sell, or possess. However, manufacturers continue attempts at evading law enforcement by substituting other chemicals. By 2012, studies indicate that over 4% of 8th graders, over 8% of 10th graders, and over 11% of 12th graders admitted to using one of the products.

Prescription Medications

In recent years, “pharming parties” became the fad among teenagers. Unbeknownst to parents or other family members, teens confiscated a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications belonging to family members and shared the substances with friends. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 20% of teenagers have used, or continue using, prescription and OTC medications for the purpose of getting high. The most commonly stolen medications include Adderall, Vicodin, cough medicines, sedatives, and Oxycontin. Continued use of some controlled substances may lead to addiction and the eventual need for admission into a drug treatment center.

Salvia

The Salvia divinorum plant belongs to the mint family, and naturally grows in southern Mexico. Abusers may chew and ingest the fresh leaves, or drink the extracted juice in a beverage. More commonly, users smoke the dried leaves as cigarettes, in conventional pipes, or water pipes. Some inhale the substance through vaporizers. Salvia affects the kappa opioid receptors in the brain and produces a variety of hallucinatory effects that include altered emotional, physical, and visual perception. Though not currently considered illegal or regulated by drug enforcement agencies, various states and countries voluntarily initiated legislation regulating Salvia use.

Ecstasy

Also known as 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or MDMA, the substance has been around since the 1970s, and in some circumstances was used during psychotherapy. In recent years, ecstasy became popular with young adults frequenting dance clubs. However, manufacturers began attracting younger customers by packaging the substance with labels depicting cartoon characters. Distributors additionally made ecstasy affordable to teens. In 2003, more than 4,000 emergency room admittances related to ecstasy use. According to a 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 11 million teens aged 12 and over admitted to using the substance at least once. The well publicized hazards of using the substance produced a decrease in abuse. By 2012, 7.9% of youngsters ranging from 8th to 12th grade reported using ecstasy compared with 11.7% in 2011. Meta: 5 commonly abused drugs by teens are marijuana, synthetic marijuana, prescription medications, saliva, and ecstasy. These are all very dangerous and deadly.