Drug Abuse in Adolescents: RSCH 600 Term Paper Research Proposal

This report, prepared as a research proposal for RSCH 600 at University Canada West, delves into the critical issue of drug abuse among adolescents. It begins with an introduction highlighting the prevalence of substance abuse and its impact on youth, followed by a clear statement of the problem, research questions, and hypotheses. The report explores the crisis of drug abuse, examining its causes, including genetic predispositions, peer influence, and the availability of drugs. It also investigates the effects of drug abuse, such as school underachievement and mental health issues. The methodology section outlines the use of literature review and surveys to gather data and analyze findings. The report also addresses ethical considerations and potential biases in the research. The study aims to provide insights into the prevalence, causes, and potential solutions for drug abuse, contributing to a better understanding of this complex issue and informing strategies for prevention and intervention. The report also includes the project work plan and deliverables.

RUNNING HEAD: DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 1
Drug use among adolescents
Student Details: Taranveer Kaur (1910232)
Professor: Dr. Dereje Bezabih
University Canada West

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 2
Abstract
This report emphasis on Drug Abuse in Adolescents which solely focuses on brief
introduction of the issue, crisis of drug abuse among adolescents along with research and
methodologies used for the assessment and evaluation of ongoing issue. The misuse of alcohol
and illegal and recommendation drugs endures to be a main fitness problematic worldwide. It is
projected that liquor abuse consequences in 2.5 million demises per year and that heroin, cocaine
and additional drugs are accountable for 0.1 to 0.2 million demises per year. In calculation to
instigating death, material abuse is also accountable for important illness and the management of
drug habit makes a remarkable load on civilization. Current educations have originate a high
association amid adolescent abuse and flattering a problematic drug user in maturity;
consequently, it can be incidental that many problematic pills users start mistreating drugs at an
initial stage. Moreover, unintentional and deliberate mortalities that are related with pills and
liquor use signify one of the foremost avoidable causes of demise for the 15 to 24-year-old
populace. Liquor and other medication use in the teenage populace transmit a high risk for
school underachievement, misbehaviour, adolescent pregnancy, and unhappiness.

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 3
Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Statement of the problem.............................................................................................................5
Purpose of the study.....................................................................................................................5
Research Question.......................................................................................................................6
Research Hypothesis....................................................................................................................7
Throwing light on the crisis of drug abuse......................................................................................8
Understanding the causes of drug abuse among teenagers..........................................................9
There is always a cause effect relationship................................................................................10
Steps or possible solutions to protect youth from drug abuse...................................................11
Cases from around the world.....................................................................................................12
Literature gap.............................................................................................................................12
Literature mapping.....................................................................................................................12
Research Methodology..................................................................................................................14
Instruments, variables and sources used in research topic........................................................14
Kinds of data that we planned to collect....................................................................................15
Alternatives ways to gather information....................................................................................15
Research participants and sample size.......................................................................................15

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 4
Data analysis and validation......................................................................................................16
Ethical Issues and Biasness.......................................................................................................16
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................22
Project work plan and deliverables............................................................................................22

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 5
Introduction
Substance abuse is a common phenomenon in the world and invaded the human society
as the most important social damage. Drug abuse is a non-adaptive model of drug use which
result in adverse problem includes set of cognitive, behavioral and various psychological
symptoms. Drug abuse also leads to drug addiction which is chronic and cause many severe
effects on health. Nowadays, there are many reasons adolescents use these substances, including
the desire for new experiences, an attempt to deal with problems or for perform better in school
and simple peer pressure (Adams, 2019). Moreover, many factors influence an adolescent to try
drugs including the availability of drugs within the neighbourhood, community, school and
whether the adolescent friends are using them. Adolescent are using drugs to prevent from many
mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and ADHD. The abuse of alcohol and drugs
continue to be a major health problem internationally. The majority of those who have a
substance abuse disorder started usually before age 18. (W.H.O) reported that 15.2 percent of
people who start drinking by age 14 eventually develop alcohol abuse or dependence and 25
percent of those who begin abusing prescription drugs at age 13 or younger develop substance
use disorder (World Health Organization, 2019). The United Nations Office on Drugs and also
reports that alcohol abuse results in 2.5 million death per year and heroin, cocaine and other
drugs are responsible for 0.1 to 0.2 million death per year. Narcotic addiction has influenced the
potential of teenagers thereby affecting society. As society, is recognized by the individuals it is
comprised of. For the well- being of community I decided to research on adolescents by utilizing
tools from both primary and secondary research methods.

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 6
This report highlights the drug abuse among adolescents which mainly focuses on the
brief introduction with statement, purpose and research hypothesis. Further, it highlights the
crisis of drug abuse among adolescents with understanding of the issue and literature mapping.
Moreover, it also highlights the research and methodology section which focuses on the data
analysis and evaluation with ethical issues and biasness involved in this ongoing issue. The
results of this research will be beneficial for the upgradation of adolescents as human resource,
acknowledge with the initiation and progress of drug abuse and addiction.
Statement of the problem
It is evident that drug abuse is still a problem in secondary schools and colleges while
various methods have been used to solve this problem. Drug abuse has affected youth population
both secondary school students and non – students. Although Students are expected to be aware
of effects of drug abuse and commit it themselves to their studies, but the habit still exist.
Although, Drug abuse lead too many problems in school like strikes among youth especially in
the second term of academic calendar.
It is possible that students who abuse drugs while in school play a big role in influencing
act like strikes as they are under the influence of drugs. Moreover, many researchers have
suggested many preventive measures. The researchers have not found desired result of curbing
the substance abuse in schools. This is because youth facing a lot of challenges as individuals,
the family and society are not helping them to get out from these bad habits. This research needs
to conduct because many adolescents are indulging with drug and substance abuse. This study
will help the students to get awareness about this (TR Lee, 1989).

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 7
Purpose of the study
The purpose of study is to investigate the causes and effects of drugs and substance abuse
among school students and non- students.
Moreover, I will learn many things by doing this research like how government could educate
the students about this topic and I will also learn how these drug and substance abuse effect our
health in this modern era. Drug addiction is vicious problem which has crippled the economy of
many countries. In particular, due to heroin, alcohol and other opioids has shown a rapid
increase in hospitalization. So, to uproot this evil to some extent it is crucial to understand the
reason behind it.
 To determine how different locations of schools influence the prevalence of drugs and
substance abuse among school students such as cities or villages.
 To determine how pressure peer influences the drug and substance abuse among the
school students.
 To establish the extent to which parent’s income influences the prevalence of drugs and
substance abuse among students.
 To establish the extent how school administration; influence the students about drugs and
substance abuse.
 To determine the extent how government should provide awareness about prevention
from drug and substance abuse.
 To provide education to students about side effects of drug and substance abuse.
 To make suggestion how to minimize the use of drug and substance abuse among
adolescents.
 To educate the students about to get rid from peer pressure.

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 8
Research Question
1. To what extent the different location of school influences the prevalence of drug and
substance abuse among the school students?
2. To what extent parent income influences the prevalence of drug and substance abuse?
3. What is the role of government to prevent the influence of drug and substance abuse
among adolescent?
4. What is the suggestion given to students or youngsters to get prevention from drug and
substance abuse?
5. Which education should be given to students to get rid from peer pressure?
Research Hypothesis
It is evident that the research questions are easy and answerable. This study will help the
students in different ways like educate the students about prevention from these drugs and
substances. The sources used in this format are various articles, internet, websites etc. Assistance
will be provided to the students to protect from various effects of substance and drug abuse by
developing programs. Moreover, it will help to spread the awareness about drugs and substances.
It will also help to find out the ways of preventing drug and substance abuse through awareness
and educate the family, neighbourhood and society people. This paper hypothesised that drug
abuse is not result of financial crisis. The data collected will help in understanding relationship
between drug abuse and financial crisis, various factors accountable for this issue (K Yamaguchi,
1984). Though the idea has also been a topic of substantial learned and radical dissertation in
western civilizations, an evaluation of the literature frequently demonstrates less agreement on
investigation and strategy bearing amongst researchers. Furthermore, educations presented the
presence of an important and a visibly distinct arrangement of drug use beginning preliminary

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 9
with legal constituents (alcohol, cigarette) and development to illegal pills (cocaine, marijuana,
methamphetamine, and heroin) over maturity. Certain models presented that previous use of
cannabis was imagined as producing augmented usage of extra illicit drugs. Further, it is still
indistinct the degree to which a unit of youths at dissimilar developing phases knowledge entry
drug usage (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana) as causes of later illegal drug usage throughout and
previous to maturity. Investigation in the substance misuse literature has intensive on stage of
start of substance used as a close cause of future drug use and requirement in parenthood. In
literature review, the indication proposes that material use requirement might also happen with
the first drug research of normally obtainable legal ingredients recurrent use over period might
upsurge the probability of emerging risks for stuff use complaints and other substance-related
diseases lengthways with solutions and steps to overcome the issue.
Throwing light on the crisis of drug abuse
Substance abuse historically has been seen as a menace in the society. Globally in
adolescents the substance abuse is rising tremendously. This can be explained from the UNODC
report 2018 which states that opium production has risen by almost 65 percent from 2016-17
level (A Kolodny, The prescription opioid and heroin crisis: a public health approach to an
epidemic of addiction, 2015).
Cannabis was the most extensively consumed drug in 2016, with 192 million people
using it at least once during the previous year (MB Vyas, 2018). The global number of cannabis
users continues to rise and appears to have increased by roughly 16 per cent in the decade to
2016, reflecting a similar increase in the world population (Weir, 2018). According to the
UNODC in the Indian journal on medical research it is estimated that global cost for the

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 10
treatment of drug abuse will be nearly 250 billion USD which is almost 0.5 percent of the global
GDP (UNODC, 2019). After reading number of resources I am of the view that most of the
youngsters are prone to drug abuse when they transition from 12 years and above. Youngsters
when leave their house and start living on their own and face hardships and they find drugs as
the possible solution to their hardships and challenges (Karen L. Bierman, 2003). In a 2008
study, 23 percent of 14-year olds and 70 percent of 17-year olds in Saskatchewan reported
drinking 5 or more drinks within a 2-hour period at least once in the past month
(saskatchewan.ca, 2019)
Understanding the causes of drug abuse among teenagers
Jaffee and Strait (2012) mention that genetics have a role to play in drug abuse. It means
that the teenager whose family history reveals a long line of drug abusers may be more prone to
drug abuse (JD Livingston, 2012). There are higher chances for the same. Jaffee and Strait
(2012) also lay emphasis on those drug abusers select like-minded peers to spend time with and
their affiliation with these peers is suggested to be the cause of their drug abuse (KL Henry,
2012). Similarly, Mc Gue stated that parental liquor misuse is also a deep-rooted risk issue for
liquor use complaint, which is likely connected to share genetic threat as well as demonstrating
of alcohol-related performances. Further, in this context, Parker stated the linking connection
between separate operative and social setting is particularly obvious in the peer area during
youth, where separate changes might affect the assortment of friends with similar performances
(TM Jones, 2016). Furthermore, Pederson and Tyas stated that beginning and occurrence of
smoking between teenagers characteristically rise with cumulative age and evaluation—for
example, Teenagers who initiated smoking at an earlier age were more probable to develop
regular smoking and less probable to quit smoking cigarette. Additionally, in this context

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 11
Blackford and Bailey stated that personal income is also associated with adolescent smoking and
this specially is observed in those adolescents who come from two-parent families.
Childhood and adolescent pathways to substance use disorders 2014 Canada report brings
forward that Reward cue processing also has role to play in drug abuse. For example, youngsters
find it smooth to socialize after having couple of drinks. This may be due to lack of confidence
in youngsters. This lack of confidence may be due to fear of failure or fear of acceptance of
thoughts and views (Z Sloboda, 2012). Moreover, Williamson in a recent study observed that
smoking, drugs, alcohol consumption leads to numerous risks like suicide attempt, depressed
mood, COPD, diabetes and death (VJ Felitti, 2019).
One way to identify the motivational system involved in an individual’s substance use is
to understand the degree to which each system becomes engaged following drug use e.g., fear
circuitry dampening vs. reward cue circuitry activation (ME Patrick, 2011). Other factors
outlined are poor parenting, maternal drinking level, and peer pressure, poverty (CCSA, 2014).
There are people who become addicted while there are others who do not? The possible reasons
behind it may be anti-drug policies of the schools, parental guidance, good self-control etc.
(NIDA, 2018)
There is always a cause effect relationship
Other than the social effects or psychological effects of the substance abuse the annual
cost to the Canadian economy due to drug abuse is almost 40 billion dollars each year
(Gruenewald, 2011). According to different reports of the World Health Organization there are
nearly 60 diseases associated with excessive alcohol consumption. One-third of disability-
adjusted life years lost is accounted for by alcohol use in individuals between the ages of 15 and

DRUG ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS 12
29. Substance Abuse in Canada report states that prenatal drug abuse leads to different disability
syndromes among the off springs. Excessive alcohol consumption by the caregivers also lead to
violence towards newly born as well as the kids, whereby creating a vicious cycle of drug abuse
(CL Currie T. W., 2012).
Here I would like to quote my personal experience, I have a friend (can’t mention the
named, let say A) he was nearly 21 years of age and was married recently. His wife did not know
that he was a drug addict. After one year of marriage my friend named A died due to overdose.
He is survived by his wife and son. His wife went through hell because being young and not so
experienced woman she had to face difficulties she never thought about. This is one among the
many stories or rather suffering of family members of drug addicts (Y Homma, 2012).
Environmental smoke or involuntary second hand smoke increases the risk by almost 25
to 30 percent of lung disease among the people who have never smoked (Bell, 2012). Here, I
would like to add that drug abuse is closely related with the sufferings, hardships which are
unworthy (JP Meyer, 2011). Teenagers being the future of this world need proper attention to be
saved from this menace. CSIS estimates there are roughly 950 organized criminal groups active
in Canada (and about 80 per cent derive revenues from illegal drug sales) (CL Currie T. W.,
2011)
Steps or possible solutions to protect youth from drug abuse
Initiate public awareness campaigns to inform both youth and adults, particularly parents,
of the risks of substance use (Lynne-Landsman, 2013). The agenda for the 2030 sustainable
developmental goals is to “ensure that no one is left behind and to reach the furthest behind
first”. While it can be too early to see the possible effects of legalization of cannabis market in