Let’s raise youth awareness about drugs and alcohol

by The Georgia Straight Staff on May 1st, 2012 at 1:01 PM

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By Lauren Emerson, Hyva Saraie, Holly Robertshaw, and Gustavo Schiele

Twenty percent of eighth-graders report that they have tried marijuana. More than 60 percent of teens say that drugs are sold, used, or kept at their schools.

Statistics concerning drug addiction involve people as young as 12 years old. They suggest that more than 600,000 Canadians age 15 and older are alcohol dependent.

Something needs to be done about the inevitably destructive relationship between drugs, alcohol, and youth. We are Grade 7 students in West Vancouver. We have been studying drugs and alcohol, and we want to raise awareness about substance abuse.

Adolescent bodies are dramatically different from those of adults. Their brains are still developing, and their bodies are still growing. Youth can be even more at risk of substance abuse than adults because of their height and weight. Youth under 15 years of age are at greater risk of harmful effects from drugs and alcohol.

The prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed until 21 years of age. The most at-risk part of the brain is the hippocampus, which is responsible for learning and memory. The hippocampus of a teen who abuses alcohol is about 10 percent smaller than that of a healthy teen. Substance abuse increases the likelihood that a teen will be involved in a suicide, homicide, or car accident.

So what do you think can be done? What action can be taken? We can raise awareness about how this hurts lives—emotionally, mentally, and physically. So spread the word, share your newfound knowledge, and help raise awareness about drugs and alcohol.

Lauren Emerson, Hyva Saraie, Holly Robertshaw, and Gustavo Schiele are Grade 7 students at West Bay elementary school in West Vancouver.

Comments

10 Comments

K Grimwood

May 1, 2012 at 2:49pm

This is a wonderful article that demonstrates how our youth can take a positive, leadership role to prevent a harmful social problem. Congratulations!

Arthur Vandelay

May 1, 2012 at 4:52pm

Excellent idea. While you are at it, would you also please develop plans to stop tennage boys from street racing their first cars and teenage girls from infatuating over boy bands and glitter.

Many thanks.

Colin A.

May 1, 2012 at 6:06pm

this is a great article, i admire your conviction and leadership. But the solution to drug and alcohol awareness is simple. Common sense and self-awareness. Neither of which can be taught. If young adults lack those things then they should look to their parents.

outoftowner

May 1, 2012 at 7:40pm

May I suggest that the first thing you do is educate yourselves with some objective science-based information about drug use and addiction? Youth should not be should not be insulted with condescension and propaganda, and is best armed with facts. I sincerely wish you all the best for your good intentions.

A parent

May 2, 2012 at 11:38am

These children (and they are only Grade 7) have spent many weeks researching this topic. They are using facts and research that has been undertaken by scientists. So they have educated themselves and simply seek to share that knowledge with others. I did not find this article condescending. Well done and good luck to them.

Arla Ishal

May 2, 2012 at 3:42pm

These kids are just great! So young but yet so educated, I applause them greatly for this article and the action they are taking.

cutegurllllll

May 2, 2012 at 5:27pm

I just adore these kiddos! So inspiring. mwa mwa fabulous job!

C Bomali

May 2, 2012 at 5:28pm

This article is just amazing, it is so great to see young people taking action. You can see that they are very educated about this topic. Great job!!!

Gentleman Jack

May 3, 2012 at 11:03am

"Something needs to be done about the inevitably destructive relationship between drugs, alcohol, and youth."

Unscientific premise; you kids are learning about drug prohibition, too, right? Like, how nobody who has a fun time with drugs is able to talk about it in public? Don't let the useless adults fill your heads with lies---every fucking weekend thousands of people use drugs and are none the worse for it. Some people, not "youth", but people with specific hereditary defects, have difficulties with drugs and alcohol---the problem is _them_ not the drugs and alcohol.

But if we told you kids the truth about that, we wouldn't be able to normalize state-robbery for you. All of this "science" you're learning, kids, it's the drugwar equivalent of Nazi racial "science"---it provides a scientific sounding excuse for robbery and putting humans into cages, as an employment project for the morally disabled.