Examining Substance Abuse Trends in Prince Edward Island Youth

This essay provides an overview of substance abuse among adolescents and young adults in Prince Edward Island, Canada. It defines substance abuse according to the World Health Organization, highlighting the role of psychoactive substances and the development of dependence syndrome. The essay explores socioeconomic determinants, behavioral theories (moral, learning, sociocultural), and genetic predispositions related to addiction. Statistical data reveals that the average age of first substance use is 14.4 years, with alcohol and cannabis being the most commonly used substances. The impact of substance abuse on lifestyle, psychosocial well-being, and academic performance is discussed, emphasizing the need for awareness and preventative knowledge. The essay proposes a school-based educational intervention program and outlines existing addiction relief services in Prince Edward Island. It concludes by advocating for preventative measures, particularly targeting adolescents and young adults, to reduce underage addiction rates.

Running head: SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Introduction:
Among a variety of different public health priorities, substance abuse can be
considered as one of the most influential one (Segal, Morral & Stevens, 2014). When
considering the target group of young adult population and adolescents, substance abuse
represents a huge and deliberating health priority for the society. Substance abuse represents
one of the most alarming health condition, especially among the young generation, the
alarmity of the situation has attracted the attention of not just the local health authorities, but
also global health guiding authorities (Segal, Morral & Stevens, 2014). According to the
report by World Health organization or WHO, substance abuse can be defined as the harmful
orb hazardous utilization of the psychoactive substances that includes alcohol and illicit drugs
(who.int, 2019). Substance abuse is facilitated by the victims or users consuming or using
psychoactive substances which in turn leads to dependence syndrome, which is the major
health concern requiring intervention and treatment. This assignment will attempt to discuss
the status of substance disorder in the target demographics of Prince Edward islands, the
statistical data revealing the alarmity of the situation, possible intervention program and the
status of the existing services for substance abuse and addiction.
Statement about the issue/disorder:
As mentioned above, the health issue or disorder chosen for this assignment is the
substance abuse and addiction syndromes affecting the society at large. The target population
chosen for the discussion on substance abuse will be based on the target population of the
adolescents and young adults. The WHO defines the substance abuse to be the health disorder
which is facilitated by the victims consuming uncontrolled amount of psychoactive
substances for a prolonged period of time which finally culminates to the dependence
syndrome (who.int, 2019). In order to understand the impact of the issue chosen on the health
and welfare of the society, it is crucial to explore the exact nature of the issue and the range

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of impacts it may facilitate on the society. First and foremost, dependence syndrome can be
described as a cluster of physiological, behavioural and cognitive phenomenon that develop
due to repeated consumption of the psychoactive substances, which gradually develops a
strong desire to continue consuming the drug even with encountering difficulties in
controlling the consumption and harmful consequences (Das et al. 2016).
Now substance abuse might be a disorder of choice, there are a variety of factors that
play a fundamental role in facilitating substance abuse in target population of young adults
and adolescents. First and foremost, the socioeconomic determinants of health such as early
life, employment, physical environment, education and social status has a huge impact on
facilitating the basis for the disorder and propelling the target population to acquire the
disease. In terms of substance abuse, the impact of employment, physical environment and
social status has a huge impact on the likelihood of the young adults or adolescents
succumbing to substance abuse (Reed, Nugent & Cooper, 2015).
Theoretical perspective:
Although a health disorder of magnanimous proportions, substance abuse is also a
behavioural disorder (Goldbach et al. 2014). Alike any other psychosocial or behavioural
disorder, the substance abuse or addiction also can be explained with behavioural theories.
The theoretical approach helps us to understand the trajectory of development of the
particular issue, how it grasps on to the society and the impact it leaves behind. There are a
variety of different addiction theories which can be taken into consideration to illustrate the
phenomenon, the moral theory, behavioural theory and sociocultural theory can be
incorporated, Moral theory states addiction or substance disorder to be the outcome of moral
weaknesses, and according to this theory, recovery is attained through use of willpower and
dedicated efforts. Similarly, disease theory states that addiction is a physiological deficit
which leads to intolerance of the victims to psychoactive substance. This theory bears the

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least connection with substance abuse and addiction and provides very little understanding of
the development of the disease (Harstad, 2014). The next theory for understanding the issue
of addiction is learning and behavioural theory, which states that addiction is learned by
observation and vicarious reinforcements, and these factors mainly include coping from
stress, depression, anxiety, escaping from reality, and social exclusion. The fourth and last
behavioural theory is socio-cultural theory, which states that substance abuse and addiction is
a condition that is facilitated by the environment, media and the social circles (Mayes &
Suchman, 2015). This theory states that the pressure of the social circles is designated as
peer pressure,which is one of the most influential and impactful contributing factor leading to
the development of the disease.
Along with the behavioural theories, there also are a variety of genetic theories which
can be discussed in this context. The inheritance theory of addiction states that the probability
of succumbing addition is genetically predisposed. Even though there is considerable non-
genetic influence which also plays a huge role in facilitating addiction, this theory postulates
the pull towards the psychoactive substances is associated largely with inherited behavioural
characteristics and properties (Matejevic, Jovanovic & Lazarevic, 2014). There are also
entirely biochemical models explaining the process of narcotic addiction development, such
as the Endorphin-Deficiency Explanation of Narcotic Addiction. This theory states that the
innate opiate endorphin, which is produced naturally by human body, due to certain mutation
or anomaly in the genetic sequence, is produced insufficiently. This insufficiency often leads
to the requirement of external opiate consumption or the craving for the same. Although, this
theory is most likely to be applicable in certain exceptional cases, although for the majority of
the cases, the behavioural theories explain the process of substance abuse and addiction with
most clarity (Winters et al., 2018).

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Statistical evidence:
In order to advocate or argue substance abuse to be the most alarming public health
issue, there is need for illustration of statistical data, discussing the prevalence, incidence and
impact of the issue. The statistical reports off substance abuse and addition for Prince
Edwards Island Canada for the chosen target population, the adolescents and young adults,
the government websites provide a myriad of data. First and foremost, the average age for
first encounter with psychoactive substance, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other
drugs, is 14.4, the grade 12 students. The level of consumption has been reported to increase
with the grade level increase and the incidence of drug consumption is elevated in males as
compared to females (Gov.pe.ca, 2019).
The statistical data of Prince Edwards Island Canadacorrelates with the fact that
higher substance consumption rate is associated with poor emotional wellbeing and stressful
physical environment. Lower self-esteem, stressful upbringing, childhood trauma and
discrimination was highlighted as the most impactful contributing factors to the development
of the urge to consume drugs or alcohol, which in turn provided them with an escape from the
stressful or traumatizing reality, as explained in the learning and behavioural theory of
addiction. Another lifestyle factor ids academic performance, which had been discovered to
be also low in the substance consuming adolescents and young adults (Gov.pe.ca, 2019).
Discussing the prevalence of substance abuse inPrince Edwards Island Canada in
detail, the report stated that highest percentage of substance addiction was found to be for
alcohol, with 41.8% of students. Secondly, the next most abundantly found drug consumption
is the cannabis with 18.8% students consuming cannabis. The third most used psychoactive
substance is tobacco with 8% student usage, and 11% of the students have been reported to
be associated with drug abuse other than cannabis, including heroin, cocaine, and
methamphetamine. Elaborating further, 22.5% students from grade 7-12 were associated with

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one drug abuse, whereas 43.6% were reported to use more than one. Along with that, in the
younger student population the use of solvents enhanced drastically in the last decade along
with the use of amphetamines. Hence, undoubtedly the situation of drug abuse is alarming,
with multiple drug abuse and solvent usage escalating rapidly in younger adolescent
population. There is need for intervention programs to enhance awareness among the target
groups to reduce the rate of usage in the next three months.
(Gov.pe.ca, 2019)
Existing literature:
Considering the impact of that is very slippery sad that discuss is the social
psychological the impact of substance abuse on the lights of the adult ascension young adults.
As discussed by the authors, substance abuse affects the lifestyle of the children drastically it
reduces the social interaction of connection that the children might have and also affects their

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academic performance along with the will to be associated with the normal Lifestyle regime
(Ouzir & Errami, 2016). Similarly, the impact of the substance abuse is also notable on the
psycho social and emotional state of the children making in far more vulnerable mental
disorders including psychosis, schizophrenia, personality disorder, and depression. The
substance abuse also alters the behavioral response of these young adults, giving way to
aggression, violence, agitation and even self harming tendencies. As discussed by Lindesmith
(2017), the lack of awareness and preventative knowledge on substance abuse and its impact
on the lifestyle and living quality of the target group. Hence, there is need for an education
program.
Education program:
The education program is the proposed tool which can help in improving the status of
the victims and their substance consumption urge. This education tool will be a school based
intervention which will be conducted in a biweekly basis in the evening after the school
hours. The target population chosen for this educational intervention program will be grade 7
to 12 children. They will be selected based on choice and each will be given the choice to
decide whether or not to participate in the program. The program will be culturally
appropriate and safe to ensure that all of the target student group se be equally involved in the
educational program and can benefit from it. Informative pamphlets will also be provided to
ensure optimal efficacy of the program.
Existing services:
The existing addiction relief services that are provided to the selected province
involve a range of different services. First and foremost there is 24*7 helpline service
providing assistance to troubled teens associated with drug or alcohol abuse. Along with that
there also is a smoking cessation program provided including a helpline to help overcome

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tobacco addiction. The next service is opioid replacement therapy provided in Montague,
Charlottetown and Summerside. Assistive support network includes rehabilitation, living
recovery, individual counseling, and withdrawal. Family centred programs for the victims
and their families include Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), senior
support group and family education program (Gov.pe.ca, 2019).
Conclusion:
On a concluding note, there is a variety of programs available to help victims quit
addiction. There are minimal programs aimed to prevent addiction from taking place,
especially something specific for the target group of adolescent and young adults. The
education program proposed here will aim at preventing the substance abuse before it can
manifest into the phase of addiction. On a more elaborative note, this tool aims at preventing
the substance abuse before the stage of dependency syndrome, and so that there the rate of
underage addiction is reduced considerably in the chosen community of province.

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