Teenage Drug Abuse in Australia
Drugs can be classified as licit; alcohol and tobacco, and illicit substances; heroin, cannabis and ecstasy. By smoking, inhaling, injecting, eating and swallowing, teenagers are taking drugs through curiosity, peer pressure, to help relax or to feel confident in social situations. Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are the most commonly used substances by teenagers in Australia, with one in five teenagers trying cannabis at least once before the age of 18.
What is the Government doing to prevent Teenage Drug Abuse in Australia?
Since 2001, the National Drugs Campaign has used advertisement, public relations and promotions, resource development and online communication activities to spread drug prevention awareness, targeting youth between the ages of 15 and 21, as well as parents of 13 to 17 year olds. NDC aims to reduce young Australians motivation to abuse drugs, increasing the knowledge about the potential negative consequences of drug abuse.
What are the dangers surrounding drug abuse?
Irregular heart rate can be controlled with treatment.
Heart failure occurs when your heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should, treatments can improve the signs and symptoms.
Blood borne diseases can spread through contamination by blood and other bodily fluids through needle sticks, being splashed with blood or oddly fluids through the nose, mouth and eyes. It is important to seek medical attention immediately.
High blood pressure is the pressure of your blood against the inner walls of your arteries, treatments and medications can control this.
Infertility is the inability to conceive as a woman, and problems with the production of sperm and eggs. Treatments are available, although not guaranteed.
Learning and memory difficulties are the effects of the chemicals changing in the brain. Drug treatment programs can help to reverse some negative effects, although not all.
Lung damage slows down the function of the lungs, and unfortunately no treatments have been found.
Seizures change the brains electrical activity, and if left untreated, seizures can worsen in terms of symptoms and become longer, which can lead to a coma or even death. Treatments are available, but seizures can not be prevented from occurring.