Teenage drug abuse

      Drug abuse in teenagers is a prevalent issue in our society today and it needs to be resolved. One solution to prevent drug abuse in America is to, first, show the long term effects to students while they are young. The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction, took a poll and found that addiction starts at the ages of twelve and thirteen. "Teens feel indestructible," says The Mayo Clinic. Schools drill STD and bullying assemblies into students heads constantly. If schools educated students about the use and effects heroin, meth, even tobacco and marijuana, it would speak to a few students and show that in all actuality, that they are not "indestructible" and the percentages of teen drug abuse would go down.
A second solution would be to stop idolizing drugs. Media,television, and music are completely intoxicated with slurs and memes about how cool and fun drugs are. The Morning Call predicts, "With artists like Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne topping the charts, it's no wonder that teens and younger generations are partying hard. Not only has the music industry predisposed us to find this behavior tolerable, but also shows like "Jersey Shore" contribute to the glamorization of drug use."This is a problem because in all actuality it alters ones perceptions judgement of their friends and surroundings.

Thirdly, if parents are stronger role models for their children, drug abuse would be less common in today's society. CBS news says "teens who know their parents disapprove of drug use are less likely to use." Parents should talk to their kids and be present in their lives.Parents who leave their kids alone more than necessary raise children whom are more likely to get into toxic situations, because they don't receive the parental guidance they should.
Yes, drug use is ultimately the teenagers' decision, but with all of the peer pressure and outside influences, it takes a good role model to show them that life can be so much better without the use of drugs.

The only reason these things would not work is if the teenager chooses to do them. If they are educated about drugs, and don't have so many influences to try them but still want to use them, then they are choosing that path for themselves.

At the end of the day, it all lies on the teenagers' choice. If the teenager is better informed, better entertained and better guided by their role models, they will make better and wiser choices which will help determine the outcome of their adolescent years.    

works sited:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/preventing-drug-abuse-best-strategy
http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/prevention-resource-center/community-impact-underage-substance-abuse
https://www.ncadd.org/about-addiction/underage-issues/ten-tips-for-prevention-for-youth
http://articles.mcall.com/2011-04-22/opinion/mc-no-drugs-muller-ithink-20110422_1_teen-drug-drinking-alcohol

topic?

Substance Abuse:

The use of harmful substances has always been activity in society. http://www.shmoop.com/drugs-america/summary.html However, it has become a major problem over the years. It is seen as the cool thing to do to the young generation, but then becomes an addiction to the older. I have watched family members and childhood friends grow up and then find a love for these deadly substances. Whether it be alcohol or different kinds of drugs. 

The most obvious cause I have seen with substance abuse is peer pressure. A young teen gets invited to a wild party, and for the sake of being cool, decides to just try it one time.
http://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/peer-pressure-and-substance-abuse/

Not only does peer pressure play a role, but also television and other media makes this type of behavior look cool or desirable. http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/addiction-news-6/tv-alcohol-ads-tied-to-problem-drinking-for-teens-study-finds-695555.html Alcohol ads look glamorous and drug abuse is shown to be a rich and desirable thing to do.

Lastly, people who are very into it,find it fun. It alters the brain and allows the user to escape reality and forget about whatever it was that caused them to be sad or stressed out.
Works Cited:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/childrens-health/articles/2011/06/29/addiction-starts-early-in-american-society-report-finds
http://www.shmoop.com/drugs-america/summary.html
http://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/peer-pressure-and-substance-abuse/
http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/addiction-news-6/tv-alcohol-ads-tied-to-problem-drinking-for-teens-study-finds-695555.html

Media Article

Finally there is an article about social media that comes off as very neutral. In this article, Jenny explains that social media, when used properly, can be very helpful when owning a business or even just for the sake of catching up with people you lost touch with over the years. Then she goes on to explain how media is harmful. Her basis with this article is to show that social media has its pros and cons, but everything would be just fine if it were used properly.
Ta, Jenny Q. "What Impact Has Social Media Truly Had On Society." Business 2 Community. Business 2 Community, 13 Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Mar. 2016. <http://www.business2community.com/social-media/impact-social-media-truly-society-0974685#Stuy5zlgxl2QtGSC.97>.

The problem with Media

Social media is the top hamster wheel for my generation. We as people cannot live without our daily dose of the "twitersphere" or looking at what our friends are up to on snap chat. As innocent as these things are, There always has to be a select few that has to ruin it for the rest. Certain people seem to take social media way to seriously and cause drama with the people around them. Then, of course, there is the cyber bullying factor. I feel as though, if this generation didn't rely and believe so much of the things they see on social media then they would get along with others better.
Off the social media subject, comes media in general. Media makes it look like a size 12 is obese. If media didn't idolize drug use, alcoholic beverages, and anorexia so intensely, i think we would see the large percentage of depression, death, and suicides go down tremendously.  

Chick-Fil-A, where you at, fam?

I read a rant called "Whatabuger at 2 am" and i have to say, this girl has a point. The line at Whataburger is always outrageous! I personally, always get a mouth full of water for a delicious Whataburger during the wee hours in the morning and the only thing that makes the experience worse, are all the people who also have the same hankering for Whataburger as me. The only way I can see that this problem would be solved is if maybe Chick-Fil-A could hop on the late night band wagon. Then, half of those people, including myself, would not be holding up the line at Whataburger anymore.

cliche "I hate my job" rant

I am an average college student. I have goals just like everyone else. I go to school, I help my family as much as I can, and I go to work.
Speaking of work, I absolutely cannot deal. Customers thing they are so smart and know way more about my job than I do. Just to top off all the customer frustration, don't even get me started on management. There is a fine line thick line between a lead and a manger. Yes, all questions should be directed to your department lead, but the lead cannot do anything without the okay from the manger. A lead has the same rules to follow as a regular worker. Leads even receive the same pay as a regular worker. with that being said, there should be no wiggle room for a gigantic ego from new leads who were hired on the same day as a certain individual, namely- myself.

A Common Role Model

Call me a "basic white girl," but every time I look at a picture of Marilyn Monroe, I get goose bumps. If her clear, piercing eyes and her bright red lipstick isn't enough to get my attention, I'd say her very intense background did the trick. This woman is an idol to most teenagers in america due to her sex appeal, and her very touching quotes that gives fans a little taste of her life story. She has been through a tremendous amount of devastating events in her life and she still preaches about smiling and being beautiful. She creates an image that shows it is possible to be strong in this world. It is possible to over come the past and make something good for yourself.