DRUG USE,

MISUSE, AND
ABUSE
 WHY STUDENTS
USE PROHIBITED
DRUGS?
 Genetic or
Family History

• Can be inherited
through genes.
 Parental
attitudes and
behavior
Parent’s desire, fears,
and expectations
influence the student’s
chance to drink, some,
or to use drugs
https://thenelsonfirm.com/dui/can-texas-parents-
legally-give-alcohol-children/
Substance used in
high school

Drug misuse before the

age of 16 increases the
risk of a substance
abuse disorder in their
later life. https://www.utahpeoplespost.com/2014/11/young-smokers-and-e-
cigarette-use-increase-worry-cdc/
 Social norms
and influences

Teens face an
overwhelming amount of
peer pressure in high
school, from their
classmates and friends
 Positive
expectations

Many students expect

drug to make them feel
less stressed, more
relaxed and confident,
and less shy.
 Mental health
problems

Students who feel hopeless,

sad, depressed and anxious
and those who has clinical
psychological disorders have
higher rates of prescription
drug abuse and illegal drug
use.
 Alcohol use

Alcohol is considered
as a gateway drug to
using prohibited
drugs.
 Sexual
identity
To lessen social anxiety
and to boost self-
confidence, gay, lesbian,
and bisexual teens may
rely on alcohol and
marijuana
GENETIC OR FAMILY HISTORY
PARENTAL ATTITUDES AND
BEHAVIORS
SUBSTANCE USED IN HIGH SCHOOL
SOCIAL NORMS AND SOCIAL
INFLUENCES
POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS
MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
ALCOHOL USE
SEXUAL IDENTITY
 Intoxication
People who are under the
influence of drugs may
behave in
uncharacteristic and
unhealthy ways because
of impairment of their
physical and mental
functions.
Unexpected Side
effects

Psychoactive medications
exert other physical and
psychological effects
beyond consciousness
modification.
 Unknown drug
constituents

Street drug producers are

not constrained by any
health regulations, and
illicit products can be
tainted or even toxic.
Infection and
injection drug
use
Most injection drug users
(IDUs) share or reuse
needles, syringes, and other
materials that can quickly
become contaminated with
the user's blood.
 Click icon to add picture
Legal
consequences

Most
psychoactive
drugs are illegal