What Causes Teenagers to Lose Motivation in School? Essay

In the last year over a million teens in America alone between the ages 12-17 met the criteria for substance abuse and addiction. Teens should be made aware of the effects of drugs. There are ways to teach teenagers the negative effects of drugs. Such as, fiction novels.

The topic is talked about but quietly and behind closed doors. No one wants to admit that it is their problem. The stigma attached to drug use needs to be eradicated and instead be discussed openly and often. Recognizing it as an illness, identifying risk factors, educating and communicating are strategies needed to combat this health problem. The Health People 2020 objective SA-2.4 works to “Increase the proportion of high school seniors never using substances—Illicit drugs.” Educating adolescents, families and the community about the risks and consequences associated with illegal drug use makes objective SA-2.4

Children and teenagers also face dangers when they use drugs, often beginning to experiment with drugs in grade school. According to a recent USA Today article, children between the ages of 12 and 17 who use marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol are 266 times more likely to use cocaine than those who do not use those three substances. Children who use drugs learn less, are absent from school more often, quit school more frequently,

One may be astonished to discover that in 2012 “..about 17 percent of American high school students were drinking, smoking or using drugs during the school day” and this number has remained relatively stagnant throughout the years (Kuczynski-Brown). The amount of students who take part in the illegal acts of drinking, smoking, and drug use has been difficult to combat. Students do not understand that these substances can result in harmful consequences down the road. This is why it is imperative that, as a society, we begin looking for solutions to defeat these harmful habits, and sometimes, addictions. The earlier we begin to inculcate the effects of these substances on the young, the better. That is why the prime-time to spread this message

Often times the spike in drug use among students is noticeable in the junior year of high school. Once kids

Another intriguing probable cause to drug abuse in high school and college students is the concept of “generational forgetting.” This idea, put out by Monitoring the Future, a multi-year study done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reminds that there is a continuous flow of new drugs onto the scene and older ones being rediscovered (Johnston 7). Drugs make a comeback because the negative side effects are forgotten as time goes on, causing new generations to be more susceptible to discovering these drugs, without knowing what the consequences entail. For example, ecstasy is one drug that is showing the results of generational forgetting. In 2008, over 40% of 12th graders reported that it would be “fairly easy” or “very easy” to gain access to ecstasy, compared to just over 20% in the early 1990’s (Monitoring the

Drug abuse is a pressing issue many adolescents face in America. Teenage brains are not developed enough to the point where completely rational decision making is possible. We as a society must find a better way to inform students so that they can make wiser decisions regarding recreational drug use.

Since the 1970s, government-funded research studies have shown emerging patterns of substance use, misuse and abuse among school-aged adolescents. Studies such as the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), Monitoring the Future (MTF), Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) are intricate research studies that compiles data on the prevalence and long-term effects of substance abuse in and outside of the school setting. Funded and sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Substance

In order to decrease the amount of teens who are substance abusers, I think that high schoolers specifically should be well-educated on the topic. Making them aware of the consequences and potential risks can influence them to make better decisions. I believe that

Since I was very young, I have always strived to maintain excellent grades, be involved in extracurricular activities, and be a leader in my community. It never ceased to amaze me when I would see students letting themselves not live up to their full potential. As I progressed into high school, I began to notice this lack of motivation more and more. Students would

As students progress through their high school career they are pressured into using drugs. Many studies show factors that may decrease drug use among upperclassmen. Teenagers do not perceive weed as a harmful substance, because many studies show that it is not addictive. Many teenagers use drugs when they are bored, wanting to experience new things, influenced by peer pressure, getting over depression, or trying to feel good (Lohmann, 2017).Based on a survey in Connecticut, teenagers who are involved in sports or extracurricular activities are less likely to use illegal substances. Eleventh and twelfth graders and students who have an average C or lower or lived in a single-parent home were more likely to be users. Students who had a job were also more likely to use marijuana, because they have extra money to buy drugs.

Teenage brains are flooded with orders and rules from every direction, whether it is from peers, parents, or teachers. Often times, the more that someone is pushed and forced in one direction, they will go the other in defiance. This is never more present than in the teenage years: where emotions and hormones are coursing through bodies at an all time high. When the pressure or influence becomes too much, some teens turn to drugs and alcohol. Laws are then broken and the government must put into place a system to fairly judge the juvenile crime. However, making it illegal does not stop minors from accessing and using drugs. By understanding the consequences and addictions drugs bring, discovering the accessibility of drugs to the youth, and

In today’s society drugs are taking away our children’s lives and it is making headlines every day. “In Vancouver, Washington, a 13-year old boy was found dead after allegedly swallowing twenty-four cold-medicine pills to get high” (Taylor 45). “Nine Florida middle-school students were taken to the hospital after their strange behavior and illness at school led school officials to discover that they had overdosed on an over-the-counter cold medication” (Taylor 45). “A children’s hospital in Wisconsin treated two teenage girls for liver failure after they consumed close to 20 tablets containing a common cold remedy.” (Taylor 45). There are many more cases like this happening every day. Why is drug abuse

Drugs and alcohol are not only a current problem in the United States, but it has also been affecting many teenagers in the world today. Teenagers today use and abuse drugs for many reasons, some being stress,peer pressure,curiosity or just modeling their parents' behavior. Many teenagers know the effects of alcohol and drugs, but some don’t really know the real consequences of what can actually happen to them. Consequences to you and also the ones around you can be very serious, I don’t think school or parents educate their kids enough of what the actual consequences are of these substances.

Doesn’t matter what age, drugs are going to be used and abuse. From the time we are born, till the day we die, prescription drugs are prescribed for doctor approved use. Most prescription drugs are given to help control a disease, an imbalance, sickness, etc. With teenage drug abuse on the rise in most US high schools, has become a problem parents are noticing among their children. Being a parent to a teenage child who has meddled with prescription drugs has been an unbelievable eye opener. Teens know who they get these drugs from; fellow students, friends, parents cabinets. Educating parents and discussing the risks with teens about the effects prescription drugs can cause is important to helping prevent this from continuing.