By Bladimir Martinez and Diana Cardenas
“Do you want some? It’ll make all your problems go away. Trying it once won’t hurt you." These are common sayings that most teens in high school hear.
There are many different types of drugs. According to Shatterproof.org the most frequently used drugs are; opioid (OxyContin, Vicodin, heroin, fentanyl, morphine), benzodiazepines (Xanax, Clonipin, Valium), cocaine & amphetamines (crystal meth, crack/cocaine, Adderall), hallucinogens (LSD, MDMA, PCP, Ketamine, shrooms), marijuana, alcohol, nicotine, and lean (made with sprite, cough syrup, and candy for flavor).
Shatterproof.org says different drugs can have varying effects: opioids can cause drowsiness, disorientation, slow movements, and slurred speech; benzodiazepines cause slurred speech, drowsiness, lethargy, and disorientation; cocaine & amphetamines cause result in extreme alertness, feeling talkative, sleeping less, and eating less; hallucinogens can cause paranoia, difficulty with concentrating, mood changes, and blurred vision; marijuana can create dry mouth, red eyes, increase of appetite, acting “silly”, disorientated, sleepy, and at times paranoid; alcohol can cause slurred speech and disorientation; nicotine can cause a small buzz, headache, and a “feel good” feeling; and lean can cause nausea, dizziness, memory problems, and blurred vision.
How do drugs affect adolescents’ minds, you may ask? According to JustThinkTwice.Gov, the human brain is fully developed at the age of 25, but if teens utilize drugs, this can negatively affect the way their brain processes and receives information; it can also affect their focus, memory, concentration, and learning.
“Do you want some? It’ll make all your problems go away. Trying it once won’t hurt you." These are common sayings that most teens in high school hear.
There are many different types of drugs. According to Shatterproof.org the most frequently used drugs are; opioid (OxyContin, Vicodin, heroin, fentanyl, morphine), benzodiazepines (Xanax, Clonipin, Valium), cocaine & amphetamines (crystal meth, crack/cocaine, Adderall), hallucinogens (LSD, MDMA, PCP, Ketamine, shrooms), marijuana, alcohol, nicotine, and lean (made with sprite, cough syrup, and candy for flavor).
Shatterproof.org says different drugs can have varying effects: opioids can cause drowsiness, disorientation, slow movements, and slurred speech; benzodiazepines cause slurred speech, drowsiness, lethargy, and disorientation; cocaine & amphetamines cause result in extreme alertness, feeling talkative, sleeping less, and eating less; hallucinogens can cause paranoia, difficulty with concentrating, mood changes, and blurred vision; marijuana can create dry mouth, red eyes, increase of appetite, acting “silly”, disorientated, sleepy, and at times paranoid; alcohol can cause slurred speech and disorientation; nicotine can cause a small buzz, headache, and a “feel good” feeling; and lean can cause nausea, dizziness, memory problems, and blurred vision.
How do drugs affect adolescents’ minds, you may ask? According to JustThinkTwice.Gov, the human brain is fully developed at the age of 25, but if teens utilize drugs, this can negatively affect the way their brain processes and receives information; it can also affect their focus, memory, concentration, and learning.
An anonymous student said he smokes every day. His experience consists of slow movement, feeling constantly sleepy, and struggling to concentrate. He admits to his grades getting lower once he began smoking marijuana.
This student said, “I started smoking because I was constantly depressed and it’d make me feel happy for once.”
According to drugabuse.com, some common reasonings behind teen drug use are: depression, stress, curiosity, peer pressure, and boredom.
Another student who chose to remain anonymous stated that they started taking a variety of drugs due to boredom: marijuana, wax (a type of weed that you can vape), and lean.
According to AddictionResource.com, bad trips are overwhelming emotions you feel and can cause bad paranoia, anxiety, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
When asked if they had ever experienced a bad “trip” or high, this student said, “I [once] hotboxed [in] a car with my friends and we smoked a blunt. I don’t remember the ride home. Another time I had an edible at school. I cried and was freaking out in the bathroom.
There are many reasons why teens use substances, but they should be aware of the consequences and how they can be harmful for those who choose to misuse it.
If you or a student you know is in need of counseling or support, please submit an anonymous referral here, or call the 24/7 Teen Hotline at 1-888-247-7717.
This student said, “I started smoking because I was constantly depressed and it’d make me feel happy for once.”
According to drugabuse.com, some common reasonings behind teen drug use are: depression, stress, curiosity, peer pressure, and boredom.
Another student who chose to remain anonymous stated that they started taking a variety of drugs due to boredom: marijuana, wax (a type of weed that you can vape), and lean.
According to AddictionResource.com, bad trips are overwhelming emotions you feel and can cause bad paranoia, anxiety, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
When asked if they had ever experienced a bad “trip” or high, this student said, “I [once] hotboxed [in] a car with my friends and we smoked a blunt. I don’t remember the ride home. Another time I had an edible at school. I cried and was freaking out in the bathroom.
There are many reasons why teens use substances, but they should be aware of the consequences and how they can be harmful for those who choose to misuse it.
If you or a student you know is in need of counseling or support, please submit an anonymous referral here, or call the 24/7 Teen Hotline at 1-888-247-7717.