As you may know, schools across the Nation are working towards promoting drug prevention. Honestly, why should drug prevention/awareness only last one day? In my opinion, we should be aware of how bad drugs are and already be actively preventing ourselves from being involved with drugs.
Despite the negativity surrounding drugs, statistics have shown drug usage among young adults has been increasing year after year. If young adults keep using drugs this is going to lead to problems for today and future generations. The (made to be) addicting substance can and has taken over people’s lives, as they have not only been marketed to adults, but now teens . Did you know that there was a drug taken because it was “fashionable”? It was called, “Heroin Chic”.
Heroin chic was a fashion style in the early 1990’s. Its traits were associated with abuse of drugs. In actuality, “Heroin chic” was not the name of the drug, it was actually “heroin”, but known as heroin chic because of its side effects. These include becoming extremely thin, pale skin, stringy hair, and androgynous features.
“Heroin Chic” in general is characterized by an overall sickly complexion. This trend was started by a reaction against healthy and vibrant-looking supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Elle Macpherson, and Claudia Schiffer and to “encourage” you to “beautify yourself” with the drug, since that look was trending in that era. The article, “Heroin chic and the price of beauty” states, “Gia Carangi, Kate Moss, and other original heroin chic models were known for rampant partying and substance abuse, utilizing appetite-suppressing cocktails of opiates and stimulants to fuel their lifestyles.”
The most common drug that was abused in America during 2000-2010 was Marijuana also known as weed. The amount of Marijuana consumed by Americans increased by more than 30 percent, while cocaine consumption decreased by 50 percent. Marijuana gave users a high that lasted around 10-30 minutes, while users who frequently smoked Marijuana, that feeling of euphoria may last for 2 to even four hours. Most Marijuana users are pre-teens and young adults who were most likely peer pressured by co-workers, peers, or even their own friends, an estimated amount of 3 million 12-17 year olds smoke Marijuana almost daily. Marijuana can place users in positions of danger, or even accidental death and injury when consumed a large sum, some signs that a user has overdosed is when one has hallucinations, anxiety, fear, rapid heart rate, or has a deep feeling of depression. The after-effects of Marijuana can be very unpleasant, as it can give users a dry-mouth, red or inflamed eyes, and drowsiness. Looking at recent years, data from the resource Choice Point states that, “It is estimated that 11.7% of individuals over the age of 12 are involved in the misuse of illicit drugs. Almost 165 million residents of the US are addicted to drugs when alcohol and tobacco are also taken into account.” When concerning drug abuse, it has almost always been popular, even in recent years.
With the new age of social media, it’s easier for people to be pressured into drugs. Drugs have been around for decades impacting social culture, but with online marketing techniques, more people are able to be lured into the trap that is substances. With this said, the people you hang around also affect what you do. Make sure to say NO! Remember that if your “friends” are pressuring you to do something you know you wouldn’t wanna do, maybe it's time to get new ones.
The effect of drugs can last a lifetime and can ruin your life, and they can end a life line. They are made to be addicting, it can be difficult to stop. The most important thing is that you stay safe, NOT that you are skinnier, prettier, or “cooler”.