WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE USE DRUGS?

Young people use alcohol and other drugs for many of the same reasons adults do. Here are the most common reasons youth use drugs:

1. Peer Pressure - Youth may give in to pressure from other kids to smoke, drink or use other drugs. These pressures may be direct or indirect. They may use a drug to feel like part of a group, or to act cool or grown-up. They assume that "everybody does it".
2. Pleasure - Many teenagers say they take drugs to feel good. In particular, smoking can easily become part of any get-together, and alcohol and marihuana a common part of teenage parties.
3. Curiosity or Experimentation - At first, kids may be tempted to try a drug to find out for themselves what it is like. Usually those who use a drug only for this reason do not continue to use it regularly.
4. Boredom - If they lack activities and interests or if they feel alienated from school, young people may want to try something new and exciting. Some children and adolescents seem to be particularly inclined to thrill seeking and risk-taking.
5. Self-Esteem - Young people, as well as adults, often use drugs to feel more confident about themselves. Drugs seem to make them feel more important and powerful.
6. Coping with Stress - Many young people do not yet have good problem-solving skills. Some of them use drugs to help cope with problems at school, in the family, with social relationships. Often beginning with tobacco, young people may use drugs to help them relax and control stress. Marihuana has become part of many young people's lives to help them deal with anxiety and depression.
7. Escape - Drugs appear to make things better than they really are. Problems don't seem as real or important.
8. Social Culture - Alcohol is part of our culture. Licensed restaurants assume you will want something from the bar before dinner, as do friends who invite you into their homes. The message that alcohol goes hand in hand with social activities is constantly given to our children. And currently, the use of marihuana is often shown as "no big deal", and become a regular part of teenage social culture as well.
9. Rebellion - Since most adults do not approve of alcohol or drug use among children, young people may use drugs to rebel against parents or teachers.
10. Media - The images celebrities and characters on television, in movies, newspapers, and magazines that smoke, drink and use marihuana continue to make these drugs seem normal, fun and glamorous.