By: Trinity Pyle
Highschool is a time for personal and academic growth, but it's also a time where many young individuals are exposed to various influences, including drugs and vaping. The use of substances can have many effects on the health and academic performance of highschoolers. It is important to understand the impact of these substances on developing minds.
The use of drugs among teenagers can have severe implications for their health. Kacie Svet, Sandia’s health teacher, says one of the biggest risks students are taking is that “Their brain will become more addicted than an adult and that the addiction will happen quicker.” Substance abuse during adolescence can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues, Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and opioids can have detrimental effects on the developing brain. Substance use can potentially lead to long-term cognitive impairment and mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, insomnia, psychosis and Hypersomnia.
The use of illicit drugs increases the risk of addiction, overdose and exposure to dangerous situations that can jeopardize the well-being of young individuals. Substances can affect your life in all areas including mental, physical, and social health. Samatha Ashby, crossroads counselor at Sandia High School, says “I think a lot of times, students use drugs as a way of coping, but it doesn't deal with the problem, it suppresses it.” Socialily it can affect the amount of trust parents or adults have and could lose relationships with peers. Substance abuse may lead to a range of health issues including addictions, liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory disorder. Students smoking in the bathroom can also affect their peers' health by putting 2nd hand smoke in the air which is not safe to inhale. Drugs and substances can impair cognitive function, leading to students making poor decisions and risky behaviors that further jeopardize their well being.
The impacts of drugs and substance abuse on academic outcomes is profound. Students who engage in substance abuse are more likely to experience an academic decline, reduced attendance and an increased risk of dropping out. Using drugs or other substances can impair memory and concentration, making students ability to focus on their studies and perform well in academic tasks. The behavioral and emotional effects of substance abuse can lead to disciplinary issues and conflicts with peers and teachers, which could disrupt the learning environment. Ashby claims that as the students start to use, it can lower their motivation, cause them to ditch classes, and make it difficult for them to focus which could cause the student to have lower grades. Svet states “Friends are important, if they are smoking and you are trying to quit be a good influence on them, try to get them to quit with you by focusing on doing other activities when you hang out, If not distance yourself from the influence. Some activities you could do if you are trying to quit that could be a good environment are Sports, Drama, Senate, and other places where grades are important. The first step to getting help is asking for it. Whether that be Ms.Ashby, telling a trusted adult, or call or text 988.
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