TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

40 Percent Of American Teens Claim That They Will Use Drugs In The Future

Pain pills. Anti-depressants. Stim-ulants.

All these medications have been jotted down on death certificates more than
100 times this year alone, and for whom? The teenagers of Mississippi and
the United States.

Studies show that 40 percent of American teens claim that they will use
drugs in the future, and one out of five eighth graders (roughly 13 to 14
years of age) have already used marijuana.

According to the 1999 Household Survey, more than 1.6 million Americans
have used pain pills for something other than medical reasons. From 1990 to
1998, the number of new pain pill users increased 181 percent. In 1999, the
number of prescription pill abusers and users totaled more than 4 million.

Stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine are only two types of pills that
can, when abused by teenagers with still developing hearts, minds and
bodily organs, can produce the same effect as methamphetamine and other
illegal drugs.

"Dextromethorphan, which is an active ingredient in most cough remedies and
is often called DXM, can be a dangerous thing," said Maher Karam-Hage, MD,
who is a clinical assistant professor in the University of Michigan Medical
School's Depart-ment of Psychiatry. "Because it's over-the-counter,
teenagers or even adults think they can use as much as they want without
any problem. But that can be very, very dangerous and can become a major
addiction by itself."

Adolescents of today are a danger to themselves with these medications,
which have been deemed saint-like. If used properly, today's medical
travelings have helped save lives.

The regions of the brain that govern impulses and motivation are not yet
fully formed in people under 21. According to the National Drug Abuse
center, drug addiction can be defined as a complex brain disease.

It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug craving,
seeking and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative
consequences. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of
the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and on behavior. For
many, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after
long periods of abstinence.

How long it takes to become addicted, however, varies by the teen. If and
how quickly one might become addicted to a drug depends on many factors,
including genes (which are inherited from parents) and the body's biology.

All drugs are potentially harmful and may have life-threatening
consequences associated with their use. There are also vast differences
among individuals in sensitivity to various drugs. While one person may use
a drug one or many times and suffer no ill effects, another person may be
particularly vulnerable and overdose with the first use.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help with drug abuse, call the
International Drug Abuse Hotline at (866) 784-8411 to find the right rehab
center near you.

Too much of a good thing

By Colby Livingston, Teen Staff Writer 40 percent of American teens claim
that they will use drugs in the future

Pain pills. Anti-depressants. Stim-ulants.

All these medications have been jotted down on death certificates more than
100 times this year alone, and for whom? The teenagers of Mississippi and
the United States.

Studies show that 40 percent of American teens claim that they will use
drugs in the future, and one out of five eighth graders (roughly 13 to 14
years of age) have already used marijuana.

According to the 1999 Household Survey, more than 1.6 million Americans
have used pain pills for something other than medical reasons. From 1990 to
1998, the number of new pain pill users increased 181 percent. In 1999, the
number of prescription pill abusers and users totaled more than 4 million.

Stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine are only two types of pills that
can, when abused by teenagers with still developing hearts, minds and
bodily organs, can produce the same effect as methamphetamine and other
illegal drugs.

"Dextromethorphan, which is an active ingredient in most cough remedies and
is often called DXM, can be a dangerous thing," said Maher Karam-Hage, MD,
who is a clinical assistant professor in the University of Michigan Medical
School's Depart-ment of Psychiatry. "Because it's over-the-counter,
teenagers or even adults think they can use as much as they want without
any problem. But that can be very, very dangerous and can become a major
addiction by itself."

Adolescents of today are a danger to themselves with these medications,
which have been deemed saint-like. If used properly, today's medical
travelings have helped save lives.

The regions of the brain that govern impulses and motivation are not yet
fully formed in people under 21. According to the National Drug Abuse
center, drug addiction can be defined as a complex brain disease.

It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug craving,
seeking and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative
consequences. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of
the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and on behavior. For
many, drug addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after
long periods of abstinence.

How long it takes to become addicted, however, varies by the teen. If and
how quickly one might become addicted to a drug depends on many factors,
including genes (which are inherited from parents) and the body's biology.

All drugs are potentially harmful and may have life-threatening
consequences associated with their use. There are also vast differences
among individuals in sensitivity to various drugs. While one person may use
a drug one or many times and suffer no ill effects, another person may be
particularly vulnerable and overdose with the first use.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help with drug abuse, call the
International Drug Abuse Hotline at (866) 784-8411 to find the right rehab
center near you.