Drug awareness involves the dissemination of information about the consequences of drug use and abuse. In combination with parental supervision, drug awareness is a vital factor in keeping kids and teens off of drugs. Teaching kids drug awareness allows them to make smart choices when faced with the decision to use or avoid drugs.
Health Risks
Different drugs have different effects on the human body. While the dangers of illegal drugs like heroin and crack are well-known, prescription drugs can be equally deadly. According to the Mayo Clinic, stimulants increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, while opiates and benzodiazepines may cause cardiac arrest and respiratory depression that can be fatal.
Long-term abuse of drugs often results in chronic disease and disability. Cirrhosis--a condition that causes scarring of the liver--is a possible outcome of long-term alcohol abuse, while smoking tobacco and other substances can cause respiratory problems like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Drug users who share syringes put themselves at risk of contracting diseases like hepatitis and HIV, which can be fatal without treatment.
Legal Trouble
In addition to health problems, drug abuse can cause serious legal ramifications for kids and teens. While laws vary by state, possession of illegal drugs may result in hefty fines, jail time or a permanent criminal record.
Drug abuse is a major contributing factor in many domestic abuse and child custody cases. Child Abuse.com states that 40 percent of child maltreatment cases involve parental use of drugs or alcohol.
Secondary crimes such as robbery or burglary are often linked with drug use as well. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, it is estimated that 42.5 to 78.7 percent of people convicted for non-drug related crimes test positive for drugs at the time of arrest.
Addiction
Addiction is an inability to control your use of drugs. While not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, every addict has tried drugs. The risk of addiction varies from person to person. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America states that genetic factors account for 50 to 70 percent of a person's total addiction risk, which explains why some people can use drugs casually while others become lifelong addicts.
In addition to genetic factors, the effects of the drugs themselves can reinforce continued use. Opioids and alcohol cause severe physical withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult to quit, while stimulants like cocaine trigger psychological addiction by stimulating the release of dopamine---a brain chemical associated with reward and pleasure.
