UNDERLYING REASONS FOR TEEN DRUG USE

I find it deeply concerning that, according to recent statistics, drug use
is up dramatically in this province.

For instance, 42.4 per cent of Grade 10 students used marijuana in the last
year.

According to Calgary police constable and school resource officer Barry
Wilkins, children as young as 12 "can get addicted" to this substance,
potentially moving to harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Although
some might dispute the dangers of marijuana, it is currently regarded as an
illegal and dangerous substance by the Canadian government, as well as
other experts.

Despite the massive amount of money and time that has been invested in
anti-drug campaigns, many teenagers are still choosing to use illicit drugs.

According to The Medical Post, a newspaper for doctors, telling teenagers
to "just say no" is not effective in convincing them to stay away from
drugs. What, then, can be done to stem the increase in drug use among teens?

Although some might consider drug use to be merely a way to cut loose when
hanging out with friends, I do not think that peer pressure alone accounts
for the number of teenagers who choose to engage in this self-destructive
activity.

Several months ago, I met a girl at a community function who recounted to
me that, during one time period of her life, she had used drugs quite heavily.

This individual offered interesting insight into some of the more complex
reasons for her drug involvement. She told me that drugs "keep you happy."

She described this happiness as being largely fake and temporary, yet at
the same time very tangible. She went on to state that, when under the
influence of drugs, one can escape from life's difficulties and experience
a synthetic ecstasy.

I was surprised and disturbed by her comments. What circumstances facing
teens could compel them to blind themselves to life because they feel
unable to cope?

What could there be about day-to-day existence that drives at least some of
these 42.4 per cent of my fellow Grade 10 students to a practice that is
potentially detrimental to their health and well-being? Could illicit drugs
have acquired a certain status as "teenage anti-depressants?"

Perhaps the real question has little to do with the actual drugs and more
to do with the circumstances from which so many teens are endeavoring to
escape. Although some would suggest that peer pressure is to blame, this
explanation is not sufficient. A memo sent to me from the office of
Children's Services Minister Iris Evans associates the rise in drug use
with various family factors, for example, abuse and neglect.

Other experts have made the same link.

Dr. Debra McDougall, clinical supervisor for the Alberta Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Commission, believes that, "Kids with weak social skills, who are
unattractive, or who have edgy temperaments are more prone to drug use."

She continues, "If you combine those with family factors like poverty,
violence, criminal behavior and absent parents, the risk of using drugs
increases."

It is my theory that, although individuals are always ultimately
responsible for their own actions, there may be important underlying
factors influencing teens who are willing to engage in self destructive
behavior such as illicit drug use.

Family factors have a huge impact on whether or not teens choose to do
drugs, and only by becoming directly involved in the lives of teenagers can
parents diminish the chance that their offspring will stray down this
dangerous path.

Say No to Drugs bumper stickers are not enough. It is only when parents,
teachers, and other people who interact with teenagers on a regular basis
take proactive steps to address the factors underlying drug use that real
and lasting change can be accomplished.