Adolescents and the Drug Scene

Abstract

Drug use has permeated all societies, all age groups, and all centuries in the history of man. Drug use is a firm and accepted part of our culture; indeed, we are a drug-oriented society. People of all ages utilize a variety of prescription and non-prescription chemicals to alter symptoms, feelings, moods, or mind-states. Drug abuse applies to taking drugs in a manner that is organically or psychologically destructive, either because of the nature of the drug used or the quantity consumed. The term “abuse” unfortunately has been used pejoratively at times to criticize any drug use that is threatening, for real or imagined reasons, to the dominant society and its mores. Drug abuse is not a phenomenon restricted to contemporary youth; the significant point of distinction between the generations is that each has its “own” favourites. Alcohol, nicotine, tranquillizers, sedatives, stimulants, and pain relievers—traditional drugs—are as susceptible to use and to abuse as are the drugs more commonly favoured by the younger generation.