Marijuana Abuse in Teens

Marijuana Abuse in Teens

Marijuana, a drug obtained from dried and crumpled parts of the ubiquitous hemp plant, Canabis sativa or Cannabis indica. Marijuana is smoked by rolling in tobacco paper or placing in a pipe. It is also otherwise consumed worldwide by an estimated 200,000,000 people for pleasure, an escape from reality, or relaxation.

There are many reasons why some children and young teens start smoking marijuana (Mitchell, 2002). Most young people smoke marijuana because their friends or brothers and sisters use marijuana and pressure them to try it. Some young people use it because they see older people in the family using it. Others may think it’s cool to use marijuana because they hear songs about it and see it on TV and in movies. Some teens may feel they need marijuana and other drugs to help them escape from problems at home, at school, or with friends.

Marijuana is both emotionally and mentally addictive. Once an individual becomes addicted to marijuana it develops into part of who they believe themselves to be. Avoiding their friends who do not use, the addict will gravitate to others that do. Marijuana is a topic that is always on their mind, whether it be thinking about the next time they will be able to get high or where their going to get their next sack. When someone is addicted to marijuana eventually their friends and the people close to them only know how they act when their stoned because they no longer do anything without first smoking. Their constant abuse is due to the misconception that marijuana is what they need to solve their problems. Sometimes addicts will take their stash with them wherever they go, just in case an opportunity arises and they are able to take a couple hits. They may even go through several dealers in order to make sure they always have a constant supply of marijuana (Mitchell, 2002).

The potency of its various forms ranges from a weak drink consumed in USA to the highly potent hashish. Marijuana is not a narcotic and is not mentally or physically addicting drug. One can use mild cannabis preparations such as marijuana in small amounts for years without physical or mental deterioration. Marijuana serves to diminish inhibitions and acts as a euphoriant. Only once in a while will it produce actual hallucinations. More potent preparations of cannabis such as hashish can induce psychedelic experiences identical to those observed after ingestion of potent hallucinogens such as LSD. Some who smoke marijuana feel no effects; others feel relaxed and sociable, tend to laugh a great deal, and have a profound loss of the sense of time. Characteristically, those under the influence of marijuana show in-coordination and impaired ability to perform skilled acts. Still others experience a wide range of emotions including feelings of perception, fear, insanity, happiness, love and anger. Although marijuana is not addicting, it may be habituating. The individual may become psychologically rather than physically dependent on the drug. Those who urge the legalization of marijuana maintain the drug is entirely safe.

Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United States. Over 83 million Americans over the age of 12 have tried marijuana at least once. In 2001, the Monitoring the Future survey showed that 20 percent of 8th-graders have tried marijuana at least once. Among 12th-graders, nearly 50 percent have tried marijuana/hash at least once, and about 22 percent were current users (Mitchell, 2002).

Baltimore’s notorious drug epidemic is even worse than law enforcement officials had realized previously, a new federal assessment shows. Baltimore is estimated to have at least 60,000 drug addicts – roughly 10 percent of the population – and police say drugs are a factor in eight of every 10 city homicides. The city has had a thriving heroin market since the 1970s, but the DEA reported that Baltimore has now become a center for distribution of a unique form of heroin processed in South America that is significantly higher in purity” than the national average.

Many users describe two phases of marijuana intoxication: initial stimulation, which includes giddiness and euphoria, followed by sedation and pleasant tranquility (William, 2000). Mood changes are often accompanied by altered perceptions of time and space. Thinking processes become disrupted by fragmentary ideas and memories. Many users report increased appetite, heightened sensory awareness, and general feelings of pleasure.

Negative effects of marijuana use can include confusion, acute panic reactions, anxiety attacks, fear, a sense of helplessness, and loss of self-control (Mitchell, 2002). Chronic marijuana users may develop a motivational syndrome characterized by passivity, decreased motivation, and preoccupation with taking drugs. Like alcohol intoxication, marijuana intoxication impairs judgment, comprehension, memory, speech, problem-solving ability, reaction time, and driving skills.

The effects of long-term marijuana use on the intellect have not been established, and there is no evidence that marijuana causes brain damage. Smoking marijuana can damage the lungs, however, and long-term use may increase the risk of lung cancer. Although marijuana is not physically addicting and no physical withdrawal symptoms occur when use is discontinued, psychological dependence develops in some 10 to 20 percent of long-term regular users.

The call for legalization of drugs is not new, but until recently, only a few people with authority carried the legalization issue. Most advocates of drug legalization justify their position on great evidence that criminalization under current policies simply have not worked. The government has made several efforts to control drugs and their users. However, the problem appears too out of hand. Most people see potential profits if the drugs are legalized while others simply believe that the right of individuals to take drugs should be protected at all cost.

The sale and use of “controlled substances” would alleviate at least a dozen of our biggest social or political problems. Legalizing drugs would make our home and streets safer and so we will be able to sleep in our homes and walk the streets more safely (Mitchell, 2002). It would put an end to prison crowding which is a very serious and persistent problem making the prison environment violent and faceless to begin with and even more dangerous and dehumanizing (William, 2000). Drug legalization would free up police resources to fight crimes against people and property. It will reduce official corruption. Tax money would be saved due to legalization of drugs. Organized crime would be dealt a serious blow. Legal drugs will be safer due to the protection issue regarding the consumer. Legalization would help the stem of diseases. It would stabilize the country and make it a better place to live in. And last but not the least.

References

Mitchell Earleywine (2002) Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence

William and Martha Sears (2000) The Successful Child: What Parents Can Do to Help Kids Turn Out Well

Article written by

Faraz Akhtar
Dubai, U.A.E