While going around school or the neighborhood around, you will likely be greeted by an overwhelming smell of marijuana or the sight of buzzed teens. Unfortunately, every day, drug use becomes increasingly popular among teens and younger.
According to the CDC, in 2019, 37 percent of American high school students reported having used marijuana at least once in their lives. From what I’ve observed, marijuana usage can start as early as seventh grade, and has become too casual and accepted among teenagers.
In large high schools, it’s easy for teens to participate in unhealthy habits. Hamilton is a large and diverse school, and I have many friends in private schools, so I have seen both realities and know how they compare to each other. At private schools, it’s easier for teachers to keep tabs on the well-being of every student. At large public schools, teens are surrounded by different kinds of people with varying lives and experiences and have a lot more opportunity to learn social skills, simply because of the large number of students. This makes it difficult for teachers to focus on specific students’ behaviors and activities. So, if a high school student suddenly decides they want to try drugs, they aren’t exactly fearful of repercussions.
However, at any school, no matter the size, there is always going to be peer pressure to be “cool.”
When a ninth grader sees their “cool” tenth grade friend smoking or vaping, they will sometimes decide to try it themselves in hopes of feeling accepted. In some situations, the leader of a friend group may be the first to experiment, encouraging their friends to join and will go on to shun them if they don’t. Drugs are often equated with popularity and approval from others, and if someone were to start having this mindset, it would be difficult to change course. There’s a strange friendship that comes from a group doing something that feels dangerous together. They bond over this fear and thrill of drugs, which may lead them down a difficult path and prevent them from receiving help.
However, that’s not the only reason teens start experimenting with drugs.
These students may have a troubling personal life, and drugs are a deceivingly good opportunity to escape reality. Some adolescents just want to know how it feels to be high, and others use them to suppress feelings of loneliness, anxiety and despair.
While some only use drugs occasionally, there are others who are highly addicted to substances such as marijuana and nicotine, and let an “occasional and cool pastime” turn into something much bigger.
Drug use is a real epidemic that has become too normalized and unfortunately happens right in front of our eyes.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you’re not alone. There’s help available. Reach out to the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Hotline at 1-800-662-4357 for support and resources.
