Substance Abuse among Youths in Australia

Running head: SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS 1
Substance Abuse among Youths in Australia
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Introduction
Substance abuse is when someone takes drugs that are considered not to be legal.
Substance abuse can also be said to occur when someone uses prescription medicine, alcohol or
other substances that are considered legal in a harmful or wrong way. Among the youths in
Australia, the most commonly taken drugs include tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol. Substance
abuse is more common among youths in Australia because of peer pressure, boredom, wanting to
take risks, curiosity and they want to experiment. Substance abuse among youths people in
Australia should be addressed adequately since it is one of the condition that affects young
people. The adolescent stage is one of the critical time that many young people start developing
problems related to substance abuse which can influence their health outcomes negatively later
and hence this highlights why better prevention, more research and intervention practices should
be conducted in Australia.
Description of Substance abuse among youths in Australia
Substance abuse has turned to be a concern in Australia especially mainly among youths.
In this context, youth refers to a person who is aged between 14-24 years. Youths are more
vulnerable to substance abuse because of trying to practice popular culture, peer pressure, and
hence they take risks and experiment on substance abuse. Nearly 43% of youths in Australia
have at least once used an illicit drug in their lifetime that is according to National Drug Strategy
Household Survey (NDSHS) 2016 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2017). Also,
according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration the highest
percentage of people who engage in substance abuse are in their late teens or 20s and also most
individuals who try drugs for the first time are usually in their adolescent age (Scholes-Balog,

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG YOUTHS 3
Hemphill, Evans-Whipp, Toumbourou, & Patton, 2016). Many youths in Australia have become
so dependent on different sorts of substances and stimulating medicines that have brought
narcotic influences on their lives. The life of those who abuse some substances has been spoiled
in almost all aspects of their life, as they have lost contact with their friends and family members
and hence living in their own different world (Newton et al, 2016). Youths have resulted in
spending a lot of finances on substance, and hence they have to look for means in which they can
be able to earn money criminally. The most worrying thing about substance abuse is that youths
in Australia are becoming addicted to all types of substances may it be tobacco, crack, marijuana,
alcohol, meth, cocaine, and heroin. Heroine becoming the most hazardous drugs since it
suppresses the work of the heart and it is more effective in achieving the narcotic effect. The
alarming rate on the intake of substances has always been a problematic thing in Australia, and it
has detrimental effects on society (Grigsby, Forster, Unger &Sussman, 2016).
Family and personal conditions have contributed to substance abuse among youths who
do not have the capability to cope with their personal issues. The physiological influences of
substance abuse among youths can be hard to endure and hence that is why youths who abuse
any substance must be treated effectively for their circumstances (Kim, Mason, Herrenkohl,
Catalano, Toumbourou, & Hemphill, 2017). Once the youth becomes dependent on the
substance, he/she in many situations become unable to stop the use of that particular substance
despite having adequate knowledge of the likely influence on his/her health and hence he/she
uses the substance on a consistent basis. The functioning of the brain is affected and hence an
uncontrollable aspiration to take the substance arises, and as a result, the youth will end up
engaging in a compulsive uptake of the substance. Possible symptoms and signs of substance

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abuse may include; poor coordination problems, depression, headache, anxiety, chills and
sweating, behavior changes, insomnia and nausea (Aresi, Moore & Marta, 2016).
Effects of substance abuse among youths in Australia
Substance abuse is a condition that poses a lot of negative influences on a person. The
effects of substance abuse can negatively influence the physical health, one’s wellbeing and
professional life of an individual. Some of the effects of substance abuse among youths in
Australia are discussed below;
Engaging in criminal activities and risky behaviors
Substance abuse can be strongly linked to crime in many circumstances. The intake of
alcohol and other substances influences youths in Australia, and hence they end up engaging in
criminal and risky activities like offensive conduct, physical and verbal violence and driving a
motor vehicle while drunk. According to National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS)
2016 it shows that 1 in 6 drinkers who are aged between 14 to 24 years put others or themselves
at danger of harm while under the influence of substance abuse (Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare. 2017). Those who continuously take drugs are more likely to engage in risky
behaviors and engage in criminal activities than those who take the substances occasionally
(Horyniak et al, 2016).
Effects of substance abuse on health
Habitual cravings of substances and long term use of those substances can prompt
prolonged harmful health effects throughout the body of the youths. Most of the substances that
the youths abuses lead to strain on their organs, as well as respiratory and venous system