FOR WIZARD KIM ASSIGNMENT 10.24

Drug Use in Children and Adolescents

The two commonly used drugs in America by children and adolescents are tobacco and alcohol; and they perhaps pose the greatest danger to them. Children and adolescents that drink alcohol or smoke tobacco are likely to use marijuana sixty five times more than those that abstain. The effects of drug use in adolescents and children include death from illnesses that are related directly to drinking and smoking and engaging in frequent sexual behaviors. The causes of drug use by these groups of individuals are multifactorial but the most common contributing factor to drug abuse in adolescents is the media. The digital media is increasingly used to advertise the drugs in question. Also exposure to R-rated and PG-13 movies at a tender age is a major factor in the early use of alcohol and tobacco.

To control and reduce the use of these drugs by children and adolescents, strong actions must be taken against the industry of entrainment on the depictions of alcohol and tobacco in the media (The Council on Communications and Media, 2010). Tobacco advertising should be banned and limitations on alcohol advertising should be implemented. The media should also motivate and assist parents to children and adolescents to restrict them from accessing media venues made for adults with exposure to substance use.

Reference

The Council on Communications and Media. (2010). Children, Adolescents, Substance Abuse, and the Media: Pediatrics 2010;126;791;DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-1635