A Study of Drug Effects on Teenage Black African Communities in London

This research project investigates the effects of drugs on teenage black African communities in London. It includes a literature review, methodology employing a descriptive research design with primary data collection through questionnaires administered to NHS staff, and an analysis of findings related to drug use patterns, symptoms, and associated problems. The study identifies emotional and behavioral problems, addiction, and potential brain damage as major effects. The report also covers the types of drugs commonly used, crimes committed by addicts, and the perceived harm to the community. The research concludes with limitations, reflections, implications, and recommendations for addressing drug addiction among this demographic. Desklib provides access to this report and a wealth of other study resources for students.

RESEARCH PROJECT:
The effect of drugs on teenage black
African communities in London

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Background literature review................................................................................................1
2. Aim of the research......................................................................................................................4
3. Methods used in the research.......................................................................................................4
3.1 Study design...........................................................................................................................4
3.1 Data collection.......................................................................................................................4
3.3 Analysis.................................................................................................................................5
4. Findings.......................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Search results.........................................................................................................................9
4.2 included studies...................................................................................................................14
5. Summary....................................................................................................................................16
5.1 Overview of findings...........................................................................................................16
5.2 Limitations...........................................................................................................................16
5.3 Reflection.............................................................................................................................16
5.4 Implications.........................................................................................................................17
5.5 Recommendations................................................................................................................17
References......................................................................................................................................18
Appendix........................................................................................................................................21
Questionnaire survey.................................................................................................................21

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Statistical data of Drug addicts in the UK........................................................................2

1. Introduction
1.1 Background
It is important for the researcher or investigator to conduct the proper research just to identify the
effects of drugs on the teenager black African communities in the London. For the researcher it
is also important to identify the main reasons why teenagers adopt the habit of drugs in their
young period and how this will put impact on their health and mental status. To complete this
study, researcher should identify the major reason and mental state of the teenagers so that it will
become for researcher to analyze the increasing rate of drug addicts related to the African black
communities who are living in the London (Effects of drugs on teenagers, 2018). On the other
side, this background will also provide the analysis and finings which are taken from the drug
addicts and the society who are suffering from this habit in the current time in the London.
1.2 Background literature review
According to the Bramness et al, (2014), in the current time, addiction of drugs in the teenagers
is increased day by day because of many reasons. The mental and health issues faced by the
teenagers are also increased because of unhealthy lifestyle and due to which their mental status
regarding their life got changed. The type of instability in the mind of the teenagers will attract
them towards the drugs as they think this will help them to be stable in life. According to the
Everitt and Robbins (2016), it is identified that between the age of 18 to 21 or 25 are adopting
drugs more as compare to the adults. It is also identified that teenagers of black African
communities living in the London are addicted towards drugs and other alcohol. According to
the UK government statistical data it is identified that, around 1 in the 11 means 8% of the
teenagers take the illicit drugs in the last few years.
In the last few years percentage of black African communities teenagers drugs addicts are also
increase as they take drugs in large percentage less but less than the while people. There are
various types of effects which are faced by the teenagers due to their addiction of drugs and
alcohol. As per the Mackey et al, (2016), the drug abuse at the teenager age may cause and create
serious type of the health issues and effects. The teens that abuse or use the drugs are facing
negative consequences and risk due to this addiction. Teens of the African black communities
within the London are also addicted towards the drugs and struggling in their life. This type of
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addiction among the teens causes brain damage and mental instability in their daily routine life.
Some of the negative issues are related to the emotional problems and behavioural problems.
Figure 1: Statistical data of Drug addicts in the UK
(Source: www.gov.uk, 2018)
The above figure is showing the statistical data of the drugs addicts in the UK. It is understood
by the above figure and data that percentage of the drug addicts are increasing day by day and
teenagers of black African communities are also taking drugs at large scale. It is identified from
the above data between 2011-2014 around 53% of the mixed communities are taking drugs
between the age group of 16 to 29. But is also identified that, while people are taking more
drugs as compared to the black people in the UK.
Effects of drugs abuse on teenagers of black African communities in the London
Emotional problems are one of the negative effects which are faced by the teenagers due to the
drugs. Drug abuse causes the serious emotional problems like- depression, anxiety, mood
swings, schizophrenia and suicidal thoughts. As per the statistical data, 34.6% teenagers are
taking drugs and facing emotional problems. According to the Di Forti et al, (2015), behavioural
problems is also major effect faced by the teens and this will increase the percentage of
depression and suicides in the UK. As per the survey it is also identified by the Mental Health
Services Administration and Substance Abuse that the teens that are abused more drugs are
engaged in the delinquent behaviours like- stealing and fighting. Dependence and addiction is
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also studied one of the major negative effects on teens. This will prove that teen take drugs in the
beginning is more likely which they develop for their enjoyment and then face relapse problem
and substance abuse problem after sometime.
As per the Belgrave and Allison (2018), another effect of drugs on the Teenagers is brain
damage which resultant into the serious mental disorders. This will cause permanent mental
problems or irreversible brain damage and also damage their nervous system. This brain damage
problem between the teens who take drugs in high ratio includes the- amnesia, brain shrinkage,
impaired reasoning, intuition, memory problems, changed sexual desire, decreased socialization,
impaired learning abilities etc. This is one of the serious and major risks faced by the drug
addicts and creates health and physical issues to them. Risky sex, car accidents, learning
problems and diseases are also one of the problems faced by the young people due to their drugs
addiction.
Symptoms of teen drug abuse
According to the Kantak and Dwoskin (2016), there are various types of symptoms in the person
which show their addiction of drugs and negative impact of drugs on their behaviour. When
person or teen break the laws and violate the rules of government such as- stealing, breaking
curfew and DUI are some of the symptoms which shows their negative behaviour and attitude in
the life due to the addiction of drugs. Problems like mood swings and they are losing interest in
their favourite activities are also major symptoms of drugs abuse within the teenagers. They also
change their behaviour towards the people and got irritated in every situation. According to the
Volkow, (2014), teenagers also move towards the depression and less talk with the other as they
like to sit along and silent which their addictions towards any alcohol which is one of the serious
problems for them. Poor hygiene and losing money in their life also show their addiction in
drugs. These are some of the symptoms which help the family members, doctors or friends to
identify the issues having with the person behind their changed behaviour.
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2. Aim of the research
The main aim of the research is to identify some of the effects of drugs on the black Africa
community’s teenagers within the UK (London). The aim of the research is also related to
evaluate the reasons behind the drugs addiction in this age.
3. Methods used in the research
3.1 Study design
Study design includes the method which is used by the researcher in this project so that
researcher can effectively undertake the research and identify the required and accurate data
from the research. It has been outlined from the research that with the help of the study design it
will help the researcher to conduct this research in effective manner. It has also defined that
some of the approaches and factors which are required in the research are considered by the
researcher. There are mainly three type of the research design such as- descriptive, exploratory
and casual research (Lewis, 2015). As per the requirement of this research, descriptive research
design is used by the researcher as this helps the researcher to identify the main problem and
their effective solutions in the teen drug addiction. This research design help the researcher to
identify the main problem occurred in the drug addiction among the teenagers and its most
suitable solution to overcome the rate.
3.1 Data collection
Data collection method used in the research by the researcher to collect the data and raw
information from various sources so that final analysis can be drawn. There are two types of
methods that can be used by the researcher in the data collection such as- secondary and primary.
Primary method of data collection allows the researcher to collect the data on the particular topic
directly from the respondents. Primary method collects the new and fresh information on the
selected topic. On the other side, secondary data collection helps the researcher to get the
information from the government survey, past records, old surveys, books, magazines and
journals (Palinkas et al, 2015). This method helps to get the past information and compare that
situation with the present time so that conclusion can be drawn. As per the requirement of this
research, primary data collection method is used by the research in which quantitative and
qualitative research methods are used in which questionnaire and interview are conducted
between the selected sample sizes.
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3.3 Analysis
Data analysis conducted by the researcher on the basis of the conducted questionnaire or
interview from the selected respondents as the sample size from the population. 30 staff
members of NHS (National Health Services) are selected as the respondents to conduct this
research as they provide the information about the patients who are admitted in the care home as
the drug addicts. Following is the questionnaire prepared by the researcher and given to the 30
care workers of NHS as the respondents for taking their feedback and suggestion on the research
topic:
1. Do your work in NHS and provide care services to the drug addicts?
o Yes
o No
Yes 25
No 5
Total 30
2. According you which age group consume more drugs?
o Below 16
o 16 to 20
o 20 to 25
o Above 25
Below 16 15
16 to 20 7
20 to 25 5
Above 25 3
Total 30
3. Do you think teenagers of the black African community take more drugs as
compare to white people in the UK?
o Yes
5

o No
o No idea
Yes 15
No 10
No idea 5
Total 30
4. What are the major symptoms identified by you in the drug addicts?
o Depression
o Mood swings
o Violent behaviour
o Drug paraphernalia
Depression 10
Mood swings 5
Violent behaviour 8
Drug paraphernalia 7
Total 30
5. Do you think addiction of drugs can be removed with the help of care home
services?
o Yes
o No
Yes 26
No 4
Total 30
6. What are major effects you think, drug addicts are facing?
o Emotional problems
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o Behavioural problems
o Addiction and dependence
o Brain damage
Emotional problems 8
Behavioural problems 10
Addiction and dependence 5
Brain damage 7
Total 30
7. What type of drugs used by the teenagers mostly in the Black African community?
o Alcohol
o Cocaine
o Marijuana
o Heroine
Alcohol 15
Cocaine 5
Marijuana 4
Heroine 6
Total 30
8. What crimes are committed by the drug addict after taking drugs?
o Murder
o Rape
o Theft
o Suicide
Murder 5
Rape 8
Theft 10
Suicide 7
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Total 30
9. Do you think more addiction to the drugs in the teenager will harm the other people
living in the community?
o Yes
o No
Yes 26
No 4
Total 30
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4. Findings
4.1 Search results
1. Do your work in NHS and provide care services to the drug addicts?
83%
17%
Yes No
Results and analysis: For conducting this research around 30 care workers of NHS organization
based in the UK are selected as they are providing care services to the drug addicts. As per the
research among 30 respondents 83% of the respondents are working in NHS and providing care
services to drug abuse.
2. According you which age group consume more drugs?
50%
23%
17%
10%
Below 16 16 to 20 20 to 25 Above 25
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